| Election Name: | 1840 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1836 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1836 |
| Next Election: | 1844 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1844 |
| Election Date: | 3 August 1840 |
| Nominee1: | Robert P. Letcher |
| Party1: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 55,370 |
| Percentage1: | 58.27% |
| Nominee2: | Richard French |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 39,659 |
| Percentage2: | 41.73% |
| Map Size: | 350px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Charles A. Wickliffe (Acting) |
| Before Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Robert P. Letcher |
| After Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
The 1840 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on 3 August 1840 in order to elect the Governor of Kentucky. Whig nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 5th district Robert P. Letcher defeated Democratic nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 11th district Richard French.[1]
On election day, 3 August 1840, Whig nominee Robert P. Letcher won the election by a margin of 15,711 votes against his opponent Democratic nominee Richard French, thereby retaining Whig control over the office of governor. Letcher was sworn in as the 15th governor of Kentucky on 25 August 1840.[2]