1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election

1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election
	August 7, 1871
	County results; Leslie: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90%; Harlan: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90%
Governor before election; Preston Leslie; Democratic	Elected Governor ; Preston Leslie; Democratic

The 1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on August 7, 1871. Incumbent Democrat Preston Leslie defeated Republican nominee John Marshall Harlan with 58.61% of the vote.

General election

Candidates

Preston Leslie, Democratic^[1]
John Marshall Harlan, Republican^[1]

Campaigning

The two candidates campaigned in a somewhat unusual fashion. They traveled together, often speaking to the same audiences on the same stages^[2] where they debated.^[3] They were personally cordial and often shared lodging during the campaign.^[2]

The gubernatorial election was the first in Kentucky since Black suffrage.^[2]

Results

1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election^[4]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Preston Leslie (incumbent)	126,445	58.61%	−23.03%
	Republican	John Marshall Harlan	89,298	41.39%	+23.03%
Majority			37,147
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

References

^ ^a ^b "ELECTIONS.; The Kentucky Elections--Large Republican Gains". The New York Times. August 8, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
^ ^a ^b ^c Collier, Mark (October 6, 2015). "History of Kentucky's Governors (1871-1891)". LINK nky. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
^ "KENTUCKY POLITICS.; The Democratic Candidate for Governor --Strength of the Two Parties--The Negro Vote". The New York Times. June 11, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.
^ Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved September 8, 2020.

[NYT1-1] "ELECTIONS.; The Kentucky Elections--Large Republican Gains". The New York Times. August 8, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.

[Collier-2] Collier, Mark (October 6, 2015). "History of Kentucky's Governors (1871-1891)". LINK nky. Retrieved October 4, 2022.

[3] "KENTUCKY POLITICS.; The Democratic Candidate for Governor --Strength of the Two Parties--The Negro Vote". The New York Times. June 11, 1871. Retrieved October 4, 2022.

[4] Guide to U.S. elections - CQ Press, Congressional Quarterly, inc. CQ Press. 2005. ISBN 9781568029818. Retrieved September 8, 2020.

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