| Election Name: | 1848 Virginia gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Virginia |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1845 Virginia gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1845 |
| Next Election: | 1851 Virginia gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1851 |
| Election Date: | 12 December 1848 |
| Image1: | John Buchanan Floyd.jpg |
| Nominee1: | John B. Floyd |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Alliance1: | Whig Party (United States) |
| 1Data1: | 47 (29.19%) |
| 2Data1: | 72 (44.44%) |
| 3Data1: | 96 (59.63%) |
| Nominee2: | George W. Thompson |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| 1Data2: | 34 (21.12%) |
| 2Data2: | 48 (29.63%) |
| 3Data2: | 55 (34.16%) |
| Image4: | William Daniel Jr. Judge 1806-1873.png |
| Nominee4: | William Daniel |
| Party4: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| 1Data4: | 23 (14.29%) |
| 2Data4: | 27 (16.67%) |
| 3Data4: | Eliminated |
| Image5: | Green B. Samuels.jpg |
| Nominee5: | Green Berry Samuels |
| Party5: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| 1Data5: | 25 (15.53%) |
| 2Data5: | Dropped out |
| 3Data5: | Dropped out |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | William Smith |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | John B. Floyd |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1848 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on 12 December 1848 in order to elect the Governor of Virginia. John B. Floyd, a Democrat and member of the Virginia House of Delegates, defeated 17 other candidates after three ballots, with the backing of Whigs.
On 12 December 1848, the Virginia General Assembly began voting for governor. 17 candidates were voted for.[1] [2] Among them was John B. Floyd, who ran on the promise of internal improvements, especially for the state’s western counties.[3] Floyd was backed by Whigs who believed he shared many of their sympathies.[4]
In the first round, no candidate received a majority, so the legislature moved on to a second round. William Daniel was "dropped under the rule of the house," and Mr. Paxton withdrew the name of Green Berry Samuels from the nomination. Daniel was renominated for the next round.[1]
In the second round, no candidate received a majority, so the legislature moved on to a third round. William Daniel was once more "dropped under the rule of the house".[1]
In the third round, Floyd received a majority of the vote, defeating George W. Thompson and others.[1] According to the Staunton Spectator And General Advertiser, Floyd's election can be seen as a triumph for Whigs.[4] Floyd was sworn in as the Governor of Virginia on 1 January 1849.[1] [4]
| Joint vote 1 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||||||||
| Democratic | John B. Floyd | 47 | 29.19 | ||||||||
| Democratic | George W. Thompson | 34 | 21.12 | ||||||||
| Democratic | Green Berry Samuels | 25 | 15.53 | ||||||||
| Democratic | William Daniel | 23 | 14.29 | ||||||||
| Whig | George W. Summers | 14 | 8.70 | ||||||||
| Democratic | John Y. Mason | 5 | 3.11 | ||||||||
| bgcolor= | Valentine W. Southall | 2 | 1.24 | ||||||||
| Whig | William Cabell Rives | 2 | 1.24 | ||||||||
| bgcolor= | 9 others one each | 9 | 5.59 | ||||||||
| Valid votes | 161 | 100 | |||||||||
| Total | 161 | 100 | |||||||||
| Joint vote 2 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||||||||
| Democratic | John B. Floyd | 72 | 44.44 | ||||||||
| Democratic | George W. Thompson | 48 | 29.63 | ||||||||
| Democratic | William Daniel | 27 | 16.67 | ||||||||
| Whig | George W. Summers | 7 | 4.32 | ||||||||
| Democratic | John Y. Mason | 6 | 3.70 | ||||||||
| bgcolor= | 2 others one each | 2 | 1.23 | ||||||||
| Valid votes | 162 | 100 | |||||||||
| Total | 162 | 100 | |||||||||
| Joint vote 3 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ||||||||
| Democratic | John B. Floyd | 96 | 59.63 | ||||||||
| Democratic | George W. Thompson | 55 | 34.16 | ||||||||
| Democratic | John Y. Mason | 6 | 3.73 | ||||||||
| Whig | Samuel Watts | 2 | 1.24 | ||||||||
| bgcolor= | 2 others one each | 2 | 1.24 | ||||||||
| Valid votes | 161 | 100 | |||||||||
| Total | 161 | 100 | |||||||||