1870 Tennessee gubernatorial election

The 1870 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1870, to elect the next governor of Tennessee. Incumbent Republican governor Dewitt Clinton Senter did not seek re-election. Democratic candidate and former Confederate Army officer John C. Brown defeated Republican candidate and former Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives William H. Wisener with 65.55% of the vote.

1870 Tennessee gubernatorial election

November 8, 1870

Nominee John C. Brown William H. Wisener Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 78,979 41,500 Percentage 65.55% 34.45%

County results Brown:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Wisener:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% No data:

Governor before election Dewitt Clinton Senter Republican Elected Governor John C. Brown Democratic

Background

Although John C. Brown had been a Whig before the Civil War, Brown joined the Democratic Party after the war, and was nominated as the party's candidate for governor in 1870. Since the 1870 Constitution of Tennessee restored voting rights to ex-Confederates, Brown easily defeated his Republican opponent, William H. Wisener of Shelbyville, by a 78,979 to 41,500 vote.

General election

1870 Tennessee gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	John C. Brown	78,979	65.55%
	Republican	William H. Wisener	41,500	34.45%
Total votes			120,479	100.00%
	Democratic gain from Republican