1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election

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1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election
Louisiana Pelican Flag 1861.svg
  1868 November 4, 1872 1876  
  William P. Kellogg - Brady-Handy.jpg John McEnery.jpg
Nominee William Pitt Kellogg John McEnery
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote72,89055,249
Percentage56.88%43.12%

1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election results map by parish.svg
Election results by county
Kellogg:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%     90-100%
McEnery:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%     90-100%

Governor before election

P. B. S. Pinchback
Republican

Elected Governor

William Pitt Kellogg
Republican

The 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election was the second election to take place under the Louisiana Constitution of 1868. As a result of this election William Pitt Kellogg was elected Governor of Louisiana, but not before federal troops stepped in to enforce his election. The results of this election were highly contentious and resulted in racial violence across the state, including the Colfax massacre. U. S. President Ulysses S. Grant had to step in and formally recognize Kellogg as Governor to resolve the violence. Kellogg's Democratic opponent John McEnery finally conceded the election in September 1874 after briefly overthrowing Kellogg's government. This was the last time a Republican won the governorship in Louisiana until 1979.

Results

Popular Vote

1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election [1]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican William Pitt Kellogg 72,890 56.88% Decrease2.svg5.63
Democratic John McEnery 55,24943.12%Increase2.svg5.63
Total votes128,139 100.00%
Preceded by
1868 Louisiana gubernatorial election
Louisiana gubernatorial elections Succeeded by
1876 Louisiana gubernatorial election

References

  1. Jeanne Frois. 2006. Louisiana Almanac, 2006–2007 Edition. Gretna, La: Pelican Pub. Co. p.547