| Election Name: | 1859 Kansas gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Kansas |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Next Election: | 1862 Kansas gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1862 |
| Election Date: | December 6, 1859 |
| Nominee1: | Charles L. Robinson |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 7,848 |
| Percentage1: | 59.24% |
| Nominee2: | Samuel Medary |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 5,401 |
| Percentage2: | 40.76% |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Samuel Medary (Territorial) |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Charles L. Robinson |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1859 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on December 6, 1859, in order to elect the first Governor of Kansas upon Kansas acquiring statehood on January 29, 1861. Republican nominee and former member of the California Assembly from the 12th district Charles L. Robinson defeated Democratic nominee and incumbent Territorial Governor of Kansas Samuel Medary.[1]
On election day, December 6, 1859, Republican nominee Charles L. Robinson won the election by a margin of 2,447 votes against his opponent Democratic nominee Samuel Medary, thereby gaining Republican control over the new office of Governor. Robinson was sworn in as the 1st Governor of the new state of Kansas on February 1, 1861.[2]