1846 Iowa gubernatorial election

The 1846 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on 26 October 1846 in order to elect the first Governor of Iowa upon Iowa acquiring statehood on 28 December 1846. Democratic nominee Ansel Briggs defeated Whig nominee Thomas McKnight.

General election
On election day, 26 October 1846, Democratic nominee Ansel Briggs won the election by a margin of 247 votes against his opponent Whig nominee Thomas McKnight, thereby gaining Democratic control over the new office of Governor. Briggs was sworn in as the 1st Governor of the new state of Iowa on 28 December 1846.