1849 Mississippi gubernatorial election

The 1849 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on November 1, 1849, to elect the governor of Mississippi. John A. Quitman, a Democrat won against Whig Luke Lea, future Commissioner of Indian Affairs in the Department of Interior.[1][2][3]

1849 Mississippi gubernatorial election
← 1847 November 5, 1849 1851 →
 
Nominee John A. Quitman Luke Lea
Party Democratic Whig
Popular vote 33,117 22,996
Percentage 59.0% 41.0%

County results
Quitman:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      90–100%
Lea:      50–60%      60–70%
No data/vote:      

Governor before election

Joseph W. Matthews
Democratic

Elected Governor

John A. Quitman
Democratic

Background

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Debates over slavery and state rights continued to dominate the Mississippi political scene. Political leaders called for the defense of slavery and the necessity of secession if further encroachment on the institution of slavery occurred.[4]

General election

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Incumbent Governor Joseph Matthews announced he would not run for reelection. The Democrats unanimously nominated John A. Quitman, a staunch defender of nullification, "state sovereignty", and slavery. The Whigs nominated Luke Lea, who was also a defender of slavery but did not believe in secession. However, many Whigs preferred Quitman. Quitman was elected governor by a wide margin, reflecting the political environment at the time.[2][4]

Results

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Mississippi gubernatorial election, 1849[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John A. Quitman 33,117 59.0%
Whig Luke Lea 22,996 41.0%
Total votes 56,113 100.00
Democratic hold

References

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  1. ^ a b Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 168–169.
  2. ^ a b Rowland, Dunbar (1925). History of Mississippi, the Heart of the South. Vol. 1. S. J. Clarke publishing Company.
  3. ^ DeJong, David H. (2021), "Luke Lea: Commissioner of Indian Affairs (July 1, 1850–March 24, 1853)", Paternalism to Partnership, The Administration of Indian Affairs, 1786–2021, University of Nebraska Press, pp. 80–85, ISBN 978-1-4962-3058-4, JSTOR j.ctv2cw0sp9.20, retrieved 2024-01-14
  4. ^ a b Busbee, Westley F. (2015). Mississippi: A History (1st ed.). John Wiley and Sons. pp. 201–202.