1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election
← 1868 (special) August 7, 1871 1875 →
 
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

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Candidates

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

Campaigning

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b "ELECTIONS.; The Kentucky Elections--Large Republican Gains". The New York Times. August 8, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
  2. ^ a b c 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.