The 1860 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on 6 August 1860, in order to elect the Governor of Arkansas.
Incumbent two-term governor Elias Conway, member of the powerful Conway-Johnson family (known as "The Family") which had controlled Arkansas politics since creation of Arkansaw Territory, decided to retire from politics. His chosen successor, Richard H. Johnson, won a Democratic nomination heavily influenced by The Family. But Conway's first cousin and former Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme CourtHenry Rector challenged Johnson as an Independent Democrat and an "outsider" to the Family.[1] Though the candidates largely agreed on the issues, Johnson's defeat signaled the end of Family control of state politics.
Democratic convention
The Democratic Party of Arkansas was controlled by the Conway-Johnson family, which had dominated antebellum politics in the state. A state convention in the Arkansas House of Representatives began April 2, 1860. After five days of heated debate, Richard H. Johnson was nominated. Johnson was editor of the True Democrat newspaper, which had supported the Conway administration. Johnson also had the support of his elder brother, Robert W. Johnson, who Conway had appointed as United States Senator in 1855. Opponents resented the perpetuation of the Conway-Johnson dynasty.[2]
American party convention
On April 30, the American Party (successors to the Know Nothing movement), as well as a remaining group of Whigs met in Helena, Arkansas. The group passed resolutions opposing secession, endorsing the nominees to be announced at the 1860 Constitutional Union Convention, and nominating Thomas Hubbard, circuit court judge from Hempstead County, as the party's candidate for governor. Given the division created at the Democratic convention, many were optimistic about Hubbard's chances.[2]
Rector enters the race
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General election
On election day, 6 August 1860, Independent Democratic candidate Henry Massey Rector won the election by a margin of 3,079 votes against his opponent Democratic nominee Richard H. Johnson, thereby gaining Independent Democratic control over the office of Governor. Rector was sworn in as the 6th Governor of Arkansas on 15 November 1860.[3]
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