1848 Virginia gubernatorial election

1848 Virginia gubernatorial election

← 1845 12 December 1848 1851 →
 
Nominee John B. Floyd George W. Thompson
Party Democratic Democratic
Alliance Whig
Legislature vote 1 47 (29.19%) 34 (21.12%)
Legislature vote 2 72 (44.44%) 48 (29.63%)
Legislature vote 3 96 (59.63%) 55 (34.16%)

 
Nominee William Daniel Green Berry Samuels
Party Democratic Democratic
Legislature vote 1 23 (14.29%) 25 (15.53%)
Legislature vote 2 27 (16.67%) Dropped out
Legislature vote 3 Eliminated Dropped out

Governor before election

William Smith
Democratic

Elected Governor

John B. Floyd
Democratic

The 1848 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on 12 December 1848 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. John B. Floyd, a Democrat and member of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeated 17 other candidates after three ballots, with the backing of Whigs.

General election

On 12 December 1848, the Virginia General Assembly began voting for governor. 17 candidates were voted for.[1][2] Among them was John B. Floyd, who ran on the promise of internal improvements, especially for the state’s western counties.[3] Floyd was backed by Whigs who believed he shared many of their sympathies.[4]

In the first round, no candidate received a majority, so the legislature moved on to a second round. William Daniel was "dropped under the rule of the house," and Mr. Paxton withdrew the name of Green Berry Samuels from the nomination. Daniel was renominated for the next round.[1]

In the second round, no candidate received a majority, so the legislature moved on to a third round. William Daniel was once more "dropped under the rule of the house".[1]

In the third round, Floyd received a majority of the vote, defeating George W. Thompson and others.[1] According to the Staunton Spectator And General Advertiser, Floyd's election can be seen as a triumph for Whigs.[4] Floyd was sworn in as the Governor of Virginia on 1 January 1849.[1][4]

Results

Joint vote 1[2][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John B. Floyd 47 29.19
Democratic George W. Thompson 34 21.12
Democratic Green Berry Samuels 25 15.53
Democratic William Daniel 23 14.29
Whig George W. Summers 14 8.70
Democratic John Y. Mason 5 3.11
Valentine W. Southall 2 1.24
Whig William Cabell Rives 2 1.24
9 others one each[a] 9 5.59
Valid votes 161 100
Total 161 100
Joint vote 2[2][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John B. Floyd 72 44.44
Democratic George W. Thompson 48 29.63
Democratic William Daniel 27 16.67
Whig George W. Summers 7 4.32
Democratic John Y. Mason 6 3.70
2 others one each[b] 2 1.23
Valid votes 162 100
Total 162 100
Joint vote 3[2][1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John B. Floyd 96 59.63
Democratic George W. Thompson 55 34.16
Democratic John Y. Mason 6 3.73
Whig Samuel Watts 2 1.24
2 others one each[c] 2 1.24
Valid votes 161 100
Total 161 100

Notes

  1. ^ Syme, Stuart, Janney, Lyons, Watts, Caperton, Pendelton, J. F. Preston, and W. B. Preston
  2. ^ Rives and Watts
  3. ^ Summers and W. B. Preston

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Virginia General Assembly (1849). Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Superintendent Public Printing. pp. 60–62.
  2. ^ a b c d Virginia General Assembly (1849). Journal of the Senate of Virginia 1848-9. p. 34.
  3. ^ Luebke, Peter C. "John B. Floyd (1806–1863)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Waddell, L.; Waddell, J. A. (December 20, 1848). "The Election of Governor". Staunton Spectator And General Advertiser. p. 2.