1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election

1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election

November 4, 1872

Nominee William Pitt Kellogg John McEnery Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 72,890 55,249 Percentage 56.88% 43.12%

Election results by county Kellogg:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100% McEnery:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%      90-100%

Governor before election P. B. S. Pinchback Republican Elected Governor William Pitt Kellogg Republican

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.

Results

Popular Vote

1872 Louisiana gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	William Pitt Kellogg	72,890	56.88%	5.63
	Democratic	John McEnery	55,249	43.12%	5.63
Total votes			128,139	100.00%

Preceded by 1868 Louisiana gubernatorial election

Louisiana gubernatorial elections

Succeeded by 1876 Louisiana gubernatorial election