The 1879 Massachusetts gubernatorial election was held on November 4.
Republican nomination
Candidates
John Davis Long, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts
Henry L. Pierce, former Mayor of Boston and U.S. Representative
Declined
Thomas Talbot, incumbent Governor
Campaign
On June 20, Governor Talbot announced that he wished to retire at the end of his term and would decline the Republican nomination if offered. He formally withdrew on August 20.
Following Talbot's withdrawal, the field was divided between Lieutenant Governor John Davis Long and former Mayor of Boston Henry L. Pierce, with Pierce stronger in the cities.
Long (or his supporters) felt he was guaranteed the nomination by agreement, having stepped aside for Talbot in 1878. However, this agreement quickly made way for the necessity of defeating Benjamin Butler, whom Republicans decried as a demagogue and communist. Supporters of Henry L. Pierce entered his name into consideration soon after Talbot's withdrawal in hopes that Long supporters would again concede to a stronger candidate, but they did not. Long and Pierce agreed on many issues, so the electability issue decided the campaign. Pierce's supporters argued that he would better appeal to liberals, independents, and Democrats, while Long had to rely on Stalwarts and prohibitionists. Though Long conceded to be as liberal as Pierce, Pierce supporters argued that his brief public record was insufficient to appeal to swing constituencies.
Convention
Long formally accepted the nomination at a ratification meeting on September 26. Pierce sent a letter endorsing Long.
General election
Results
John Quincy Adams II, former State Representative from Quincy and nominee for Governor (1867–71) (Democratic) Benjamin Butler, former U.S. Representative from Lowell (Greenback and Democratic) D.C. Eddy (Prohibition) John Davis Long, Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts (Republican)