The 1859 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on August 4, 1859, to elect the governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Democratic governor Isham G. Harris narrowly won re-election, defeating Opposition Party John Netherland with 52.79% of the vote.[1]
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 County results Harris: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Netherland: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% No data/No votes | |||||||||||||||||
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Campaign
editIsham Harris ran for re-election against John Netherland, who had been nominated by a hodge-podge group of ex-Whigs, ex-Know Nothings, and disgruntled Democrats, known as the Opposition Party.[2] Harris campaigned on fears of northern abolitionists, while Netherland argued that the U.S. Constitution provided the best protection for Southern rights, and thus, it was in the state's interest to remain in the Union.
General election
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Isham G. Harris (incumbent) | 76,073 | 52.79% | ||
| Opposition | John Netherland | 68,042 | 47.21% | ||
| Total votes | 144,115 | 100.00% | |||
References
edit- ^ Tennessee Blue Book (1890), p. 170.
- ^ Oliver Perry Temple, John Netherland, Notable Men of Tennessee] (Cosmopolitan Press, 1912), pp. 159-165.
- ^ Tennessee Blue Book (1890), p. 170.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - TN - Governor Race - Aug 04, 1859". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28.