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Agubernatorial election was held inVirginia on December 3, 1788.[1] The president of theCouncil of StateBeverley Randolph defeated the member of theVirginia House of DelegatesBenjamin Harrison V.[2]
The incumbent governorEdmund Randolph did not seek re-election. Speculation centered on Beverley Randolph,Richard Henry Lee, andWilliam Grayson as potential successors as early as September 1788; by October, the race had narrowed to between Beverley Randolph and Harrison.John Dawson wroteJames Madison in late October that Harrison was popular among thebackcountry members in the House of Delegates.[3]
Edmund Randolph resigned his office on November 12, 1788, following his election to the House of Delegates fromWilliamsburg.[4] Beverley Randolph as president of the Council acted as governor between Edmund Randolph's resignation and his election.[5]
The election was conducted by theVirginia General Assembly in joint session. Beverley Randolph was selected by a majority of four votes.[2] The official record of the proceedings did not record the votes cast for each candidate.[1]
| Party | Candidate | First ballot | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | Percent | |||
| Nonpartisan | Beverley Randolph | ** | ||
| Nonpartisan | Benjamin Harrison V | ** | ||
Total | ** | 100.00 | ||
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