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The1831 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on October 3, 1831, to elect the governor ofGeorgia. IncumbentJacksonian Troup GovernorGeorge Rockingham Gilmer, first elected in the1829 election, ran for re-election to a second term. He was narrowly defeated by the Jacksonian Union nominee,U.S House RepresentativeWilson Lumpkin.[1][2]
During this time, Georgian politics were dominated by two local parties, the Union party and the Troup party. The Union party was the product of the forces of liberal democracy that brought white manhood suffrage and popular elections in the 1800s. The Troup party, on the other hand, was a political anomaly whose conservative politics and organization were more closely related to those of the late 1800s.[2]
Following the previous election in 1829, the Union party grew rapidly with the help of several newspapers such as theMacon Telegraph, theSavannah Mercury,The Argus,The Democrat,The Federal Union,The Augusta Chronicle, and theMcdonough Jacksonian. Many columnists for these newspapers attacked what they called the "Troup aristocracy".[2]
Another contribution to its growth was the emergence of competent leaders who were fed up with the undemocratic nature of the Troup party and its severe competition in the leadership arena.[2]
U.S House RepresentativeWilson Lumpkin had the choice of nomination for Governor by either state party caucus but chose the Union party nomination.[2]
After his election in 1829, GovernorGeorge R. Gilmer had been discredited in the eyes of the new democracy by his seeming desertion of his Union supporters that had helped him win the previous election. Another problem for his reputation was his belief that lands containing gold should be withheld from theland lottery.[2]
The Troup party as a whole wasn't safe from controversy either. The party, through much manipulation, had kept the nearly senileWilliam H. Crawford as judge of theNorthern Circuit, which brought great discredit to the caucus. Despite these controversies, the party was able to hold on to life by reorganizing itself into being more in line with the rising opposition to PresidentAndrew Jackson and becoming increasingly anti-tariff.[2]
The Troup party renominated Governor Gilmer.[2]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonian | Wilson Lumpkin | 27,305 | 51.35 | |
| Jacksonian | George R. Gilmer | 25,867 | 48.65 | |
| Total votes | 53,172 | 100 | ||
Under the leadership of Wilson Lumpkin, the Union party was able to sweep into power.[2]
