1848 Virginia gubernatorial election

1848 Virginia gubernatorial election

←  1845 12 December 1848 1851  →

Nominee John B. Floyd George W. Thompson Party Democratic Democratic Alliance Whig Legislature vote 1 47 (29.19%) 34 (21.12%) Legislature vote 2 72 (44.44%) 48 (29.63%) Legislature vote 3 96 (59.63%) 55 (34.16%)   Nominee William Daniel Green Berry Samuels Party Democratic Democratic Legislature vote 1 23 (14.29%) 25 (15.53%) Legislature vote 2 27 (16.67%) Dropped out Legislature vote 3 Eliminated Dropped out

Governor before election William Smith Democratic Elected Governor John B. Floyd Democratic

The 1848 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on 12 December 1848 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. John B. Floyd, a Democrat and member of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeated 17 other candidates after three ballots, with the backing of Whigs.

General election

On 12 December 1848, the Virginia General Assembly began voting for governor. 17 candidates were voted for. ^{[1] [2]} Among them was John B. Floyd, who ran on the promise of internal improvements, especially for the state’s western counties. ^[3] Floyd was backed by Whigs who believed he shared many of their sympathies. ^[4]

In the first round, no candidate received a majority, so the legislature moved on to a second round. William Daniel was "dropped under the rule of the house," and Mr. Paxton withdrew the name of Green Berry Samuels from the nomination. Daniel was renominated for the next round. ^[1]

In the second round, no candidate received a majority, so the legislature moved on to a third round. William Daniel was once more "dropped under the rule of the house". ^[1]

In the third round, Floyd received a majority of the vote, defeating George W. Thompson and others. ^[1] According to the Staunton Spectator And General Advertiser, Floyd's election can be seen as a triumph for Whigs. ^[4] Floyd was sworn in as the Governor of Virginia on 1 January 1849. ^{[1] [4]}

Results

Joint vote 1 [2] [1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John B. Floyd	47	29.19
	Democratic	George W. Thompson	34	21.12
	Democratic	Green Berry Samuels	25	15.53
	Democratic	William Daniel	23	14.29
	Whig	George W. Summers	14	8.70
	Democratic	John Y. Mason	5	3.11
		Valentine W. Southall	2	1.24
	Whig	William Cabell Rives	2	1.24
		9 others one each [a]	9	5.59
Valid votes			161	100
Total			161	100

Joint vote 2 [2] [1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John B. Floyd	72	44.44
	Democratic	George W. Thompson	48	29.63
	Democratic	William Daniel	27	16.67
	Whig	George W. Summers	7	4.32
	Democratic	John Y. Mason	6	3.70
		2 others one each [b]	2	1.23
Valid votes			162	100
Total			162	100

Joint vote 3 [2] [1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	John B. Floyd	96	59.63
	Democratic	George W. Thompson	55	34.16
	Democratic	John Y. Mason	6	3.73
	Whig	Samuel Watts	2	1.24
		2 others one each [c]	2	1.24
Valid votes			161	100
Total			161	100

Notes

1. Syme, Stuart, Janney, Lyons, Watts, Caperton, Pendelton, J. F. Preston, and W. B. Preston
2. Rives and Watts
3. Summers and W. B. Preston

References

1. Virginia General Assembly (1849). Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Superintendent Public Printing. pp. 60–62.
2. Virginia General Assembly (1849). Journal of the Senate of Virginia 1848-9. p. 34.
3. Luebke, Peter C. "John B. Floyd (1806–1863)". Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
4. Waddell, L.; Waddell, J. A. (December 20, 1848). "The Election of Governor". Staunton Spectator And General Advertiser. p. 2.