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1856 Missouri gubernatorial election
The 1856 Missouri gubernatorial election was held on August 2, 1852, the Democratic nominee, Trusten Polk , defeated Know-Nothing candidate Robert C. Ewing (running under the American Party label), and former Senator Thomas H. Benton . Benton ran as an Independent Democrat under the label "Benton Democrat."
In February 1857, Trusten Polk would be elected to the United States Senate ; he therefore resigned the governorship, was replaced by Lt. Gov. Hancock Lee Jackson , and forced a special election to be called for August 1857 to fill the remainder of the term.[ 1]
Thomas Hart Benton , former U.S. Senator (1821–51) and U.S. Representative (1853–55) from St. Louis (Benton Democratic)
Robert C. Ewing (American)
Trusten Polk , St. Louis attorney (Democratic)