1794 Virginia gubernatorial election
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A gubernatorial election was held in Virginia on November 20, 1794.[1] The Democratic-Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates from Spotsylvania County Robert Brooke defeated the Federalist member of the Council of State James Wood.[2]
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November 20, 1794
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The Federalist incumbent governor of Virginia Henry Lee III was ineligible for re-election due to term limits established by the Constitution of Virginia.[3] Lee courted controversy near the end of his term when he accepted command of United States troops during the Whiskey Rebellion, an action unpopular with Democratic-Republicans and farmers in Western Virginia. On November 21, the House of Delegates found Lee had forfeited his office by accepting a lucrative U.S. commission and declared the governorship vacant, nine days before Lee was due to leave office on December 1.[4]
The election was conducted by the Virginia General Assembly in joint session.[3] Brooke defeated Wood on the first ballot.[2]
General election
| Party | Candidate | First ballot | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | Percent | |||
| Democratic-Republican | Robert Brooke | 90 | 60.00 | |
| Federalist | James Wood | 60 | 40.00 | |
Total |
150 |
100.00 | ||