| Election Name: | 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election |
| Country: | Louisiana |
| Type: | presidential |
| Ongoing: | No |
| Previous Election: | 1868 Louisiana gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1868 |
| Next Election: | 1876 Louisiana gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1876 |
| Election Date: | November 4, 1872 |
| Flag Year: | 1861b |
| Image1: | William P. Kellogg - Brady-Handy.jpg |
| Nominee1: | William Pitt Kellogg |
| Party1: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 72,890 |
| Percentage1: | 56.88% |
| Nominee2: | John McEnery |
| Party2: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 55,249 |
| Percentage2: | 43.12% |
| Map Size: | 250px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | P. B. S. Pinchback |
| Before Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
| After Election: | William Pitt Kellogg |
| After Party: | Republican Party (United States) |
The 1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election was the second election to take place under the Louisiana Constitution of 1868. As a result of this election William Pitt Kellogg was elected Governor of Louisiana, but not before federal troops stepped in to enforce his election. The results of this election were highly contentious and resulted in racial violence across the state, including the Colfax massacre. U. S. President Ulysses S. Grant had to step in and formally recognize Kellogg as Governor to resolve the violence. Kellogg's Democratic opponent John McEnery finally conceded the election in September 1874 after briefly overthrowing Kellogg's government.
Popular Vote