1831 Georgia gubernatorial election

1831 Georgia gubernatorial election

October 3, 1831

Nominee Wilson Lumpkin George R. Gilmer Party Jacksonian Jacksonian Alliance Union Party Troup Party Popular vote 27,305 25,867 Percentage 51.35% 48.65%

Results by County Lumpkin:50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90% Gilmer:50–60%60–70%70–80%80–90%>90% Cherokeeterritory:

Governorbefore election George R. Gilmer Jacksonian ElectedGovernor Wilson Lumpkin Jacksonian

The1831 Georgia gubernatorial electionwas held on October 3, 1894, to elect the governor ofGeorgia.IncumbentJacksonianTroup 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 HouseRepresentativeWilson Lumpkin.

Background

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.

Union Party

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".

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.

U.S HouseRepresentativeWilson Lumpkinhad the choice of nomination for Governor by either state party caucus but chose the Union party nomination.

Troup Party

After his election in 1829, GovernorGeorge R. Gilmerhad 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.

The Troup party as a whole wasn't safe from controversy either. The party, through much manipulation, had kept the nearly senileWilliam H. Crawfordas 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 Jacksonand becoming increasingly anti-tariff.

The Troup party renominated Governor Gilmer.

Election

1831 Georgia gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Jacksonian	Wilson Lumpkin	27,305	51.35
	Jacksonian	George R. Gilmer	25,867	48.65
Total votes			53,172	100

Aftermath

Under the leadership of Wilson Lumpkin, the Union party was able to sweep into power.