State legislature

At the time, the Massachusetts legislature was controlled by the Republican Party, as it had been since that party's founding, typically in dominant fashion. The 1888 election in particular, which coincided with the elections of President Benjamin Harrison and re-election of Governor Oliver Ames, returned the strongest Republican majority in eight years.

The Senate was composed of 33 Republicans and 7 Democrats,^[1] and the House had 181 Republicans, 58 Democrats, and 1 independent Democrat.^[2]

Declared

• George Frisbie Hoar, incumbent U.S. Senator

Though Hoar remained unpopular with some younger elements of the party, including those in control of the party State Committee, no Republican candidate was willing to actively put their name forward in opposition to his election.^[3] With the unanimous support of the Republican caucus, his re-election was guaranteed in advance. Democrats were expected to give an honorary vote to one of their party leaders, likely U.S. Representative Patrick Collins or Cambridge mayor William Russell, who had run as the party nominee for Governor in 1888.^[4]

Caucuses

In caucuses held on January 14, Republicans re-nominated Hoar unanimously. Democrats took two ballots to nominate Patrick Collins over William Russell.^[5]

Election

Hoar was re-elected on January 15 in each house of the General Court, with the full support of his party.^[6]