The 1900 New York state election was held on November 6, 1900. Voters chose candidates for the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Comptroller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, and other state offices, as well as members of the New York State Senate and Assembly. The election took place concurrently with the 1900 United States presidential election, in which Republican incumbent President William McKinley and his running mate, New York Governor Theodore Roosevelt, were elected to a second term.
Gubernatorial race
- Republican candidate: Benjamin B. Odell Jr., then the incumbent Lieutenant Governor.
- Democratic candidate: Bird Sim Coler, former New York City Comptroller.
Benjamin B. Odell Jr. won the governorship with 709,503 votes (53.44 % of the total), while Bird Sim Coler received 598,748 votes (45.06 %). The remaining votes were split among minor‑party candidates.
Other statewide offices
| Office | Republican winner | Democratic opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lieutenant Governor | Timothy L. Woodruff (incumbent) | John C. L. Olson | Woodruff re‑elected |
| Attorney General | John C. Davies | William S. Tabor | Davies elected |
| Comptroller | Frank Campbell | John J. Bennett | Campbell elected |
| Secretary of State | John R. McGowan | John W. Wilcox | McGowan elected |
| Treasurer | James A. Sullivan | William R. Miller | Sullivan elected |
(All listed Republicans were successful; the Democratic candidates were defeated.)
Legislative elections
- State Senate: Republicans retained a majority, holding 31 of the 51 seats.
- State Assembly: Republicans maintained control, holding 88 of the 150 seats.
Historical context
The 1900 election occurred during the national Republican ascendancy of the early 20th century. Theodore Roosevelt, who had served as New York Governor from 1899 to 1900, was selected as McKinley’s vice‑presidential running mate and was elected Vice President, prompting a vacancy in the governorship that was filled by Odell after his election. The Republican victories in New York mirrored the party’s success in the presidential race.
Significance
- The election marked the first time a New York Governor (Roosevelt) moved directly from a state executive office to the national vice‑presidency.
- Odell’s administration continued Republican dominance of New York state politics until the Democratic resurgence in the 1910s.
All figures are drawn from contemporary official election returns and historical records.
