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 Results by County[1] Johnson: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% Jenkins: 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% 80–90% >90% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1853 Georgia gubernatorial election was held on 3 October 1853 in order to elect theGovernor of Georgia.Democratic nominee and formerUnited States Senator fromGeorgiaHerschel V. Johnson defeatedConstitutional Union nominee and formerAttorney General of GeorgiaCharles J. Jenkins by a slim margin.[2]
In the aftermath of theCompromise of 1850, Union Democrats, led byHowell Cobb, and GeorgiaWhigs had merged to form theConstitutional Union Party in support of the compromise. This coalition of parties was instrumental in securing Cobb's governorship in1851.[3]
The results of the1852 presidential election confirmed Georgian's support for the compromise, but that they would demand more specific recognition of "Southern Rights" basis for the future. In its aftermath, theSouthern Rights Party was accepted into the nationalDemocratic Party, causing it to drop the former title. The Democrats nominatedHerschel V. Johnson.[4]
Significantly, the party refused to endorse Cobb's administration or his Senate candidacy, departing from the idea of compromise in the sectional conflict. The Union Whigs, left with the option of either merging with the Democrats or attempting to rebuild their party as a state organization, chose the latter, nominatingCharles J. Jenkins.[4]
On election day, 3 October 1853, Democratic nominee Herschel V. Johnson won the election by a margin of 510 votes against his opponent Union nominee Charles J. Jenkins, thereby gaining Democrats control over the office of Governor. Johnson was sworn in as the 41st Governor ofGeorgia on 9 November 1853.[5]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Herschel V. Johnson | 47,638 | 50.27 | |
| Constitutional Union | Charles J. Jenkins | 47,128 | 49.73 | |
| Total votes | 94,766 | 100.00 | ||
| Democraticgain fromConstitutional Union | ||||
