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The1863 Texas gubernatorial election was held on August 3, 1863, to elect thegovernor of Texas.Harrison County attorneyPendleton Murrah, backed by Incumbent GovernorFrancis Lubbock who chose not to run for a second term, defeatedperennial candidate Thomas J. Chambers, a wealthy politicalgadfly fromEast Texas.[3]
The major issue this election was each candidate's stance towards theJefferson Davis administration. While each candidate tried to avoid being identified as "anti-administration" (or "anti-Davis") and "pro-administration" (or "pro-Davis"), public perception categorized them as such. Murrah was seen as the pro-administration candidate, while Chambers, who opposed sending more troops beyond Texas borders whilst the coastline remained undefended and denouncedmartial law, was viewed as the anti-administration candidate. Chambers also advocated for civil authority over military commanders, opposed restrictions on cotton cultivation, and opposed the "odious"draft exemption law.[3]
Chambers hurt his own credibility during the campaign, throwing out accusations that statewide newspapers were conspiring against him to elect Murrah and that President Davis had dishonourably declined to respect his pleas for an army commission. Chambers received only about 1/4 of the votes he had garnered in the 1861 election, with many of his former supporters either not voting or defecting to Murrah. His base in this election was largely made up of a diverseprotest vote that not only reflected resistance toconscription and annoyance withimpressment, but also expressed the convictions of outspoken Texas-firsters and also the hopes of quiescent reconstructionists.[3]
The Murrah campaign made a more practical or sensible effort, benefiting from the endorsement of Incumbent GovernorFrancis Lubbock and his supporters, most of whom were non-slaveholders, whilst Chambers carried the slaveholder vote. Murrah also received the backing of the Confederate military authorities inShreveport,Louisiana who aided his candidacy by avoiding acts that could possibly turn discontented voters to Chambers, stipulating that they would not impress slaves and cotton in East Texas until after the election.[3]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Pendleton Murrah | 17,511 | 56.42% | |
| Independent | Thomas J. Chambers | 12,455 | 40.13% | |
| No Party | Write-ins | 1,070 | 3.45% | |
| Total votes | 31,036 | 100.00% | ||
| Independenthold | ||||
