1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election

August 7, 1871

Nominee Preston Leslie John Marshall Harlan Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 126,445 89,298 Percentage 58.61% 41.39%

County results Leslie:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Harlan:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Preston Leslie Democratic Elected Governor Preston Leslie Democratic

The 1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on August 7, 1871. Incumbent Democrat Preston Leslie defeated Republican nominee John Marshall Harlan with 58.61% of the vote.

General election

Candidates

• Preston Leslie, Democratic^[1]
• John Marshall Harlan, Republican^[1]

Campaigning

The two candidates campaigned in a somewhat unusual fashion. They traveled together, often speaking to the same audiences on the same stages^[2] where they debated.^[3] They were personally cordial and often shared lodging during the campaign.^[2]

The gubernatorial election was the first in Kentucky since Black suffrage.^[2]

Results

1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Preston Leslie (incumbent)	126,445	58.61%	-23.03%
	Republican	John Marshall Harlan	89,298	41.39%	+23.03%
Majority			37,147
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

1. "ELECTIONS.; The Kentucky Elections--Large Republican Gains". The New York Times. August 8, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
2. Collier, Mark (October 6, 2015). "History of Kentucky's Governors (1871-1891)". LINK nky. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
3. "KENTUCKY POLITICS.; The Democratic Candidate for Governor --Strength of the Two Parties--The Negro Vote". The New York Times. June 11, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
4. Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved September 8, 2020.