1879 California gubernatorial election

1879 California gubernatorial election

← 1875 September 3, 1879 1882 →
 
Nominee George Clement Perkins Hugh J. Glenn William F. White
Party Republican Democratic Workingmen's
Popular vote 67,965 47,667 44,482
Percentage 42.42% 29.75% 27.76%

County results
Perkins:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Glenn:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
White:      30–40%      40–50%

Governor before election

William Irwin
Democratic

Elected Governor

George C. Perkins
Republican

The 1879 California gubernatorial election was held on September 3, 1879, to elect the governor of California. George Clement Perkins won a plurality of votes, marking the fourth consecutive election in which the incumbent governor's party was defeated. Earlier that year, on May 7, 1879, voters in California approved a new constitution which, effective in 1880, moved the dates of elections to even-numbered years to coincide with elections for federal offices. Thus, the next election for governor would be held on November 7, 1882. As such, Perkins' term as governor would last only three years.