The incumbent governorThomas Jefferson declined to seek re-election. Jefferson's constitutional term ended on June 2, the date the election of his successor was scheduled to take place. The normal election proceedings were disrupted by the Yorktown campaign, however, and the Virginia General Assembly was forced to flee Richmond to evade the advancing British forces. The Assembly relocated to Charlottesville and then to Staunton.[1] Nelson's past military experience made him a desirable candidate in light of the British invasion. Jefferson wrote that the emergency called for "a union of the civil and military power in the same hands."[2] Others felt more drastic constitutional changes were necessary. When the Assembly reconvened at Staunton on June 7, the delegate from Albemarle CountyGeorge Nicholas and the delegate from Henry CountyPatrick Henry suggested that either George Washington or Nathanael Greene should be appointed dictator. The Assembly rejected this proposal and proceeded to elect a governor on June 12 after five days of delay.[3] Nelson was selected by the majority of members in joint session; the names of the other candidates and the votes tallied were not recorded.[4]
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