1839 Mississippi gubernatorial election

1839 Mississippi gubernatorial election

←  1837 November 4, 1839 1841  →

Nominee Alexander G. McNutt Edward Turner Party Democratic Whig Popular vote 18,800 15,886 Percentage 54.3% 45.7%

County results McNutt:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%     >90% Turner:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80% Tie:     50%

Governor before election Alexander G. McNutt Democratic Elected Governor Tilghman Tucker Democratic

The 1839 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1839, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Alexander G. McNutt, an incumbent Democrat won against Whig candidate Edward Turner. ^{[1] [2]}

General election

During McNutt's administrations, a banking controversy unfolded in Mississippi with economic and political repercussions. Stemming from President Andrew Jackson's attack on the national bank and efforts to curb inflation, the Panic of 1837 ensued. In response to the crisis, Mississippi chartered the Union Bank in 1838, approving the Supplementary Act to boost its capital. However, the move exacerbated financial issues, leading to blame on banking institutions, especially the Union Bank. The Democrats, aligning with anti-bank sentiment, capitalized on this during the 1839 election, securing Governor McNutt's reelection against the Whigs amidst ongoing economic challenges in the state. ^[3]

Results

Mississippi gubernatorial election, 1839 ^{[1] [4]}

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Alexander G. McNutt	18,800	54.3%
	Whig	Edward Turner	15,886	45.7%
Total votes			34,786	100.00
	Democratic hold

References

1. Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Westport, CT: Meckler Books. pp. 168–169.
2. Mississippi Official and Statistical Register. Jacksonville, Florida: Vance Printing Co., State Printers for Mississippi. 1900.
3. Busbee, Westley F. (2015). Mississippi: A History (1st ed.). John Wiley and Sons. pp. 161–162.
4. Dublin, Michael J. (2011). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1776-1860 : The Official Results by State and County. McFarland & Company, Incorporated Publishers. p. 131. ISBN   9780786453245.