1850 Iowa gubernatorial election

The 1850 Iowa gubernatorial election was held on August 5, 1850.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Ansel Briggs declined to stand for re-election.

Democratic nominee Stephen P. Hempstead defeated Whig nominee James L. Thompson and Free Soil nominee William Penn Clark with 52.94% of the vote.

Candidates

 * William Penn Clark, Free Soil, lawyer, former newspaper editor
 * Stephen P. Hempstead, Democratic, former President of the Iowa Territory Legislative Council
 * James L. Thompson, Whig, Methodist preacher