1859 Mississippi gubernatorial election

October 3, 1859

Nominee John J. Pettus Harvey W. Walter Party Democratic Independent Popular vote 34,559 10,308 Percentage 77.03% 22.97%

County results Pettus   50–60%   60–70%   70–80%   80–90%   90–100% Walter   50–60%   60–70%

Governor before election William McWillie Democratic Elected Governor John J. Pettus Democratic

Elections in Mississippi
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The 1859 Mississippi gubernatorial election was held on October 3, 1859, to elect the governor of Mississippi. Former Democratic acting governor of Mississippi John J. Pettus defeated the independent candidate Harvey W. Walter.^[1]

General election

On election day, October 3, 1859, John J. Pettus won the election by a margin of 24,251 votes against his opponent Harvey W. Walter. Retaining democratic control of the office of governor and being sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Mississippi on November 21, 1859. Pettus' election by such a large margin, indicated that secession was becoming increasingly popular among Mississippians, as Pettus had campaigned as a strong supporter of secession of the South from the United States. Which he would end up fulfilling as Governor in 1861, marking this election as the final one before the outbreak of the American Civil War, which saw Mississippi become part of the Confederate States of America.^[2]

References