1829 Georgia gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1829 Georgia gubernatorial election
Country:Georgia (U.S. state)
Type:presidential
Previous Election:1827 Georgia gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1827
Next Election:1831 Georgia gubernatorial election
Next Year:1831
Election Date:October 5, 1829
Nominee1:George R. Gilmer
Alliance1:Troup Party
Party1:Jacksonian Party
Popular Vote1:28,850
Percentage1:70.48%
Nominee2:Joel Crawford
Party2:Jacksonian Party
Alliance2:Troup Party
Popular Vote2:12,082
Percentage2:29.52%
Governor
Before Election:John Forsyth
Before Party:Jacksonian Party
After Election:George R. Gilmer
After Party:Jacksonian Party

The 1829 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on October 5, 1829, to elect the governor of Georgia. Jacksonian Troup Governor John Forsyth, first elected in the 1827 election, declined to seek re-election to a second term, instead aiming to be elected to the U.S. Senate. Jacksonian Troup candidate George Rockingham Gilmer, U.S House rep for Georgia's 1st congressional district, won in a landslide with the backing of both local parties.[1]

Background

The first political divisions in the state fell along the lines of personal support for outstanding leaders in their struggle for power. Many of these factions were usually held together through personal friendships and family associations. The two factions at the time were the Clark faction, followers of Ex-Governor John Clark, and the Troup faction, followers of Ex-Governor George Troup.[1]

Following the death of its gubernatorial candidate in the 1827 gubernatorial election and the removal of Clark from Georgia to Florida, the Clark party would eventually die out the following year. In its ashes rose the Union party, a product of the forces of liberal democracy that brought white manhood suffrage and popular elections in the 1800s. However, this new party chose not to field a candidate and instead, its leaders decided to support George Rockingham Gilmer for governor.[1]

The Troup party, on the other hand, was a political anomaly whose conservative politics and organization more closely related to those of the late 1800s. In 1828, the Troup caucus split at Athens between supporting Gilmer or Georgia State Senator Joel Crawford.[1]

Aftermath

Following Gilmer's victory he supported Union party nominee, John Forsyth, for U.S. senatorship. However, he appointed Troup party members to state offices.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Murray . Paul . Party Organization in Georgia Politics 1825-1853 . The Georgia Historical Quarterly . 29 . 4 . 195–197 . JSTOR.