| Election Name: | 1851 Virginia gubernatorial election |
| Type: | presidential |
| Country: | Virginia |
| Flag Year: | 1788 |
| Previous Election: | 1848 Virginia gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1848 |
| Next Election: | 1855 Virginia gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1855 |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Election Date: | December 8, 1851 |
| Nominee1: | Joseph Johnson |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 67,074 |
| Percentage1: | 53.00% |
| Nominee2: | George W. Summers |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 59,476 |
| Percentage2: | 47.00% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | John B. Floyd |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Joseph Johnson |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1851 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on December 8, 1851[1] to elect the governor of Virginia. It was the first gubernatorial election in Virginia in which the governor was elected by direct popular vote, instead of being selected by the state legislature.[2] The change was brought about by the adoption of the Virginia Constitution of 1851.[3]