1861 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

The 1861 California lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on September 4, 1861, in order to elect the lieutenant governor of California. Republican nominee John F. Chellis defeated Union Democratic nominee and incumbent President pro tempore of the California State Senate Richard Irwin and Southern Democratic nominee Jasper O'Farrell.

1861 California lieutenant gubernatorial election

← 1859 September 4, 1861 1863 →

Nominee John F. Chellis Richard Irwin Jasper O'Farrell Party Republican Democratic Southern Democratic Popular vote 52,593 34,479 32,356 Percentage 44.04% 28.87% 27.09%

County results Chellis:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70% Irwin:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      70-80% O'Farrell:      30-40%      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Lieutenant Governor before election Pablo de la Guerra (Acting) Democratic Elected Lieutenant Governor John F. Chellis Republican

General election

On election day, September 4, 1861, Republican nominee John F. Chellis won the election by a margin of 18,114 votes against his foremost opponent Union Democratic nominee Richard Irwin, thereby gaining Republican control over the office of lieutenant governor. Chellis was sworn in as the 9th lieutenant governor of California on January 10, 1862.

Results

California lieutenant gubernatorial election, 1861

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John F. Chellis	52,593	44.04
	Democratic	Richard Irwin	34,479	28.87
	Southern Democratic	Jasper O'Farrell	32,356	27.09
Total votes			119,428	100.00
	Republican gain from Democratic