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| Elections in Virginia |
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A gubernatorial election was held in Virginia on December 6, 1799. The Democratic-Republican former U.S. minister to France James Monroe defeated the Federalist member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Botetourt County James Breckinridge. [1]
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Monroe had been a possible candidate for governor in 1797, but declined to challenge the incumbent governor James Wood. With Wood ineligible for re-election due to term limits established by the Constitution of Virginia, the state's Democratic-Republican leaders nominated Monroe to succeed the retiring incumbent. The nomination was a public vote of confidence in Monroe, who was known for his strong opposition to the national Adams Administration and the hated Alien and Sedition Acts. Democratic-Republicans were equally interested in the significance of the gubernatorial race for the 1800 United States presidential election in Virginia. As governor, Monroe, a close ally of Thomas Jefferson, would be positioned to promote the success of the Democratic-Republican national ticket and ensure friendly administration of the election. The election attracted little comment from the press, despite Federalist efforts to disparage Monroe's diplomatic record. The support of the Democratic-Republican leaders in the highly-partisan, elite-led political culture of eighteenth century Virginia made Monroe's election a forgone conclusion. [2]
The election was conducted by the Virginia General Assembly in joint session. [3] Monroe was elected with a majority on the first ballot. [1]