1898 Tennessee gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1898 United States gubernatorial elections.

1898 Tennessee gubernatorial election

November 8, 1898

Nominee Benton McMillin James Alexander Fowler Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 105,640 72,611 Percentage 57.92% 39.81%

County results McMillin:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90% Fowler:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%

Governor before election Robert Love Taylor Democratic Elected Governor Benton McMillin Democratic

The 1898 Tennessee gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1898. Incumbent Democratic governor Robert Love Taylor did not seek re-election. Democratic nominee Benton McMillin defeated Republican nominee James Alexander Fowler with 57.92% of the vote.

Background

In 1897, McMillin sought the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by the death of Isham G. Harris. Failing to garner any support, he then sought and successfully obtained the Democratic nomination for governor the following year in the race to succeed the popular governor Robert Love Taylor. McMillin won by a large margin on election day, with 105,640 votes to 72,611 for Republican candidate James Alexander Fowler, 2,428 for Populist candidate W.D. Turley, and 1,722 for Prohibition candidate R.N. Richardson.

General election

Candidates

Major party candidates

• Benton McMillin, Democratic
• James Alexander Fowler, Republican

Other candidates

• W. D. Turnley, People's
• R. N. Richardson, Prohibition

Results

1898 Tennessee gubernatorial election

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Benton McMillin	105,640	57.92%
	Republican	James Alexander Fowler	72,611	39.81%
	Populist	W. D. Turnley	2,428	1.33%
	Prohibition	R. N. Richardson	1,722	0.94%
Majority			33,029
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing