| Election Name: | 1839 Mississippi gubernatorial election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Previous Election: | 1837 Mississippi gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1837 |
| Next Election: | 1841 Mississippi gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1841 |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Election Date: | November 4, 1839 |
| Image1: | Alexander_G._McNutt.jpg |
| Nominee1: | Alexander G. McNutt |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 18,800 |
| Percentage1: | 54.3% |
| Nominee2: | Edward Turner |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 15,886 |
| Percentage2: | 45.7% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Alexander G. McNutt |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Tilghman Tucker |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1839 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1839, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Alexander G. McNutt, an incumbent Democrat won against Whig candidate Edward Turner.[1] [2]
During McNutt's administrations, a banking controversy unfolded in Mississippi with economic and political repercussions. Stemming from President Andrew Jackson's attack on the national bank and efforts to curb inflation, the Panic of 1837 ensued. In response to the crisis, Mississippi chartered the Union Bank in 1838, approving the Supplementary Act to boost its capital. However, the move exacerbated financial issues, leading to blame on banking institutions, especially the Union Bank. The Democrats, aligning with anti-bank sentiment, capitalized on this during the 1839 election, securing Governor McNutt's reelection against the Whigs amidst ongoing economic challenges in the state.[3]