Editing Thomas Brackett Reed (section)

=== 1876 election ===
Reed was nominated for Congress from [[Maine's 1st congressional district|Maine's first district]] in 1876. Incumbent Representative [[John H. Burleigh]] had split from the state party organization, led by Senators [[James G. Blaine]] and [[Hannibal Hamlin]], and Reed, a respected organization man, was chosen to oppose him.{{Sfn|Robinson|1930}} Reed's strength was in the city of Portland, while most of Burleigh's support was from [[York County, Maine|York County]]. Reed narrowly carried the district convention on June 29.{{Sfn|Robinson|1930}} The conflict between Reed and Burleigh carried into the general election, with a Burleigh ticket in the campaign. Reed campaigned in favor of prohibition and was attacked for his association with [[Robert G. Ingersoll]], known for his radical advocacy for [[agnosticism]]. Reed was forced to deny that he was an [[Atheism|atheist]], but the charge would be repeated in later campaigns. Ultimately, Reed narrowly won by fewer than 1,000 votes on September 9, with Burleigh receiving 177.{{Sfn|Robinson|1930}}