1802 Virginia gubernatorial election

1802 Virginia gubernatorial election

←  1801 December 11, 1802 1803  →

Nominee John Page Abraham B. Venable

Governor before election James Monroe Democratic-Republican Elected Governor John Page Democratic-Republican [a]

A gubernatorial election was held in Virginia on December 11, 1802. ^[4] The former U.S. representative from Virginia's 12th congressional district John Page defeated the member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Prince Edward County Abraham B. Venable. ^[1]

The incumbent governor of Virginia James Monroe was ineligible for re-election due to term limits established by the Constitution of Virginia. The election was conducted by the Virginia General Assembly in joint session. ^[3] Page was the only declared candidate at the start of balloting. ^[5] Voting proceeded in the House of Delegates chamber, after which the tellers withdrew to count the votes. Page was elected with a majority on the first ballot. ^[4]

General election

1802 Virginia gubernatorial election ^[1]

Candidate	First ballot
	Count	Percent
John Page	**
Abraham B. Venable	**
Total	**	100.00

Notes

1. Lampi lists no parties for this election. ^[1] Both Kallenbach and Kallenbach ^[2] and Sobel and Raimo ^[3] list Page as a Democratic-Republican during his tenure.

1. Lampi 2012.
2. Kallenbach & Kallenbach 1977, p. 613.
3. Sobel & Raimo 1978, p. 1627.
4. Reese & Hickin 1973, p. 5.
5. Lampi 2012, n2.

Bibliography

• Kallenbach, Joseph E.; Kallenbach, Jessamine S. (1977). American State Governors, 1776–1976. Vol. 1. Dobbs Ferry, NY: Oceana Publications.
• Lampi, Philip J. (2012). "Virginia 1802 Governor". A New Nation Votes. American Antiquarian Society. Retrieved October 22, 2025.
• Reese, George H.; Hickin, Patricia, eds. (1973). Journal of the Senate of Virginia: Session of 1802/03. Richmond: Virginia State Library.
• Sobel, Robert; Raimo, John (1978). Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States 1789–1978. Vol. 4. Westport, CT: Meckler Books.