1841 Georgia gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:1841 Georgia gubernatorial election
Party1:Democratic Party (United States)
Flag Year:1879
Type:Presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1839 Georgia gubernatorial election
Previous Year:1839
Next Election:1843 Georgia gubernatorial election
Next Year:1843
Election Date:October 4, 1841
Image1:File:CharlesJamesMcDonald.jpg
Nominee1:Charles McDonald
Percentage1:52,85%
Country:Georgia (U.S. state)
Popular Vote1:38,716
Nominee2:William C. Dawson
Party2:Whig Party (United States)
Alliance2:State Rights
Popular Vote2:34,541
Percentage2:47.15%
Governor
Before Election:Charles McDonald
Before Party:Union/Democratic
After Election:Charles McDonald
After Party:Democratic Party (United States)

The 1841 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on October 4, 1841, to elect the governor of Georgia. Incumbent Democratic Governor Charles McDonald won re-election defeating Whig State Rights candidate William C. Dawson.[1]

Background

Until 1840 Georgian politics were dominated by two local parties, the Union party and the State Rights party. The Union party was the product of the forces of liberal democracy that brought white manhood suffrage and popular elections in the 1800s. The State Rights party, on the other hand, was a political anomaly whose conservative politics and organization were more closely related to those of the late 1800s.[2]

After the 1836 presidential election the Union and State Rights parties slowly began to merge with the Democratic and Whig parties respectively. During the 1840 presidential election the Union party accepted Van Buren as their presidential nominee and changed their name to the Democratic Party of Georgia. The State Rights party leaders, however, were more apprehensive to amalgamation with the national Whig party.[2]

General election

Candidates

Democratic

Whig

Results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Our Campaigns - GA Governor Race - Oct 04, 1841. 2021-07-21. www.ourcampaigns.com.
  2. Murray . Paul . Party Organization in Georgia Politics 1825-1853 . The Georgia Historical Quarterly . 29 . 4 . 197; 202 . JSTOR.
  3. Web site: Charles McDonald (1793-1860). 2021-07-21. New Georgia Encyclopedia. en.
  4. Web site: Bioguide Search. 2021-07-21. bioguide.congress.gov.