1846 Iowa gubernatorial election

1846 Iowa gubernatorial election

October 26, 1846 1850 →

Nominee Ansel Briggs Thomas McKnight Party Democratic Whig Popular vote 7,626 7,379 Percentage 50.82% 49.18%

County results Briggs:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90% McKnight:      50-60%      60-70% No Data/Votes:

Governor before election James Clarke (Territorial) Whig Elected Governor Ansel Briggs Democratic

The 1846 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on October 26, 1846, in order to elect the first Governor of Iowa upon Iowa acquiring statehood on December 28, 1846. Democratic nominee Ansel Briggs defeated Whig nominee Thomas McKnight.^[1]

General election

On election day, October 26, 1846, Democratic nominee Ansel Briggs won the election by a margin of 247 votes against his opponent Whig nominee Thomas McKnight, thereby gaining Democratic control over the new office of Governor. Briggs was sworn in as the 1st Governor of the new state of Iowa on December 28, 1846.^[2]

Results

Iowa gubernatorial election, 1846

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Ansel Briggs	7,626	50.82
	Whig	Thomas McKnight	7,379	49.18
Total votes			15,005	100.00
	Democratic gain from Whig

References

1. "Ansel Briggs". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2023-07-14.
2. "IA Governor". ourcampaigns.com. March 4, 2005. Retrieved 2023-07-14.