1859 Virginia gubernatorial election

Summary

The 1859 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on May 26, 1859 to elect the governor of Virginia.

1859 Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1855 May 26, 1859 1863 →
 
Nominee John Letcher William L. Goggin
Party Democratic Opposition
Popular vote 77,216 71,592
Percentage 51.89% 48.11%

Governor before election

Henry A. Wise
Democratic

Elected Governor

John Letcher
Democratic

Campaign edit

In February 1859, Archibald Campbell and John Curtiss Underwood proposed a coalition between the Republican Party of Virginia and Whig Party. However, the Whigs refused to change their position on slavery. The Republicans did not run a gubernatorial candidate and the party told its members to abstain from the election.[1]

Results edit

Virginia gubernatorial election, 1859[2][3]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Letcher 77,216 51.89%
Opposition William L. Goggin 71,592 48.11%
Total votes 148,808 100.00%
Democratic hold

References edit

  1. ^ Lowe 1973, p. 271-272.
  2. ^ Dubin, Michael J. (2003). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860: The Official Results by State and County. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. pp. 285–287. ISBN 9780786414390.
  3. ^ Kalb, Deborah, ed. (2010). Guide to U.S. Elections. Washington, DC: CQ Press. p. 1655. ISBN 978-1-60426-536-1.

Works cited edit

  • Lowe, Richard (1973). "The Republican Party in Antebellum Virginia, 1856-1860". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 81 (3). Virginia Historical Society: 259–79. doi:10.2307/4247810. JSTOR 4247810.