1872 West Virginia gubernatorial election

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1872 West Virginia gubernatorial election
  1870 October 8, 1872 1876  
  GovernorJacob.gif Johnson N. Camden.jpg
Nominee John J. Jacob Johnson N. Camden
Party People's Independent Democratic
Alliance Republican
Popular vote42,88840,305
Percentage51.55%48.45%

1872 West Virginia gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
County results
Jacob:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%
Camden:     50-60%     60-70%     70-80%     80-90%

Governor before election

John J. Jacob
Democratic

Elected Governor

John J. Jacob
People's Independent

The 1872 West Virginia gubernatorial election took place on October 8, 1872, to elect the governor of West Virginia.

Incumbent John Jeremiah Jacob was denied renomination by the Democratic Party, which was controlled by Camden. Jacob ran on the ad hoc "People's Independent" ticket with Republican support. He was re-elected by 2400 votes for a four-year term. [1] Camden's men controlled the legislature, and passed "ripper" laws that stripped Jacob of his appointment powers.

West Virginia began electing its governor to a 4-year term, starting this election. Previously the governor was elected to a 2-year term.

Results

West Virginia gubernatorial election, 1872 [2]
PartyCandidateVotes%
People's Independent John J. Jacob (incumbent) 42,888 51.55
Democratic Johnson N. Camden 40,30548.45
Total votes83,193 100
People's Independent gain from Democratic Party (United States)

References

  1. Richard E. Fast, The history and government of West Virginia (1901) p 181
  2. "Our Campaigns - WV Governor Race - Oct 8, 1872" . Retrieved October 16, 2016.