Iowa Political Life
When Briggs came to Iowa he had decided to be recognized as a Democrat politically. Because his business caused him to travel to many parts of the Iowa Territory, Briggs became well known. This plus his readiness to be involved in public affairs made it easy for him to be chosen as a member of the Territorial House of Representatives from Jackson County in 1842. Briggs continued to be a representative until 1846. Briggs also served as Jackson County deputy treasurer in 1843 and sheriff of Jackson County starting in 1844 for a two-year term.
- The run for Governor
During the formation of a state government for Iowa, Briggs became a candidate against two well known opponents Jesse Williams and William Thompson. Briggs's campaign was centered on the promise of no outside businesses having influence in his administration. He had once made a toast at a political banquet, "No banks but earth and they well tilled. — Ansel Briggs " that became his campaign slogan. The Democratic convention was held in Iowa City on September 24, 1846. The vote for Democratic candidate for governor resulted in Briggs getting sixty-two votes, Jesse Williams receiving thirty-two, and William Thompson, thirty-one. Williams and Thompson withdrew and Briggs was chosen by acclamation. The election for Iowa's first governor was held on October 28, 1846, with Briggs winning with 7,626 votes over his opponent Thomas McKnight a Whig candidate who received 7,379 votes. On December 28, 1846, Iowa became the 29th state in the Union when President James K. Polk signed Iowa's admission bill into law.
- Life as Governor
True to his campaign promise of no outsider influence Governor Briggs sold his contract with the Postoffice Department and his administration was praised as "one void of any special interest . . .exhibited an independence of principle, characteristic of his nature". During his term as Governor, the formation of the state government was initiated and a state school system was organized. The Missouri-Iowa boundary dispute which caused a great deal of excited controversy and even almost resorted to arms was resolved in 1848 by his skillful diplomacy. When his term ended in 1850, Briggs retired from public service preferring to returned to business.
Read more about this topic: Ansel Briggs
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