The 1859 Louisiana gubernatorial election was the third election to take place under the Louisiana Constitution of 1852. Democrat Thomas Overton Moore ran against Know Nothing Thomas J. Wells for the position of Governor of Louisiana. Both men were friends and neighbors from Rapides Parish. Neither candidate actively campaigned and Moore went on vacation for a month during election season. The Democrat Moore won by a wide margin, and he would go on to lead his state in the 1860-61 secession crisis and the early years of the Civil War.
Results Popular VoteJeanne Frois. 2006. Louisiana Almanac, 2006–2007 Edition. Gretna, La: Pelican Pub. Co. p.547 PartyCandidateVotes receivedPercentageDemocraticThomas Overton Moore16,30660.15%Know NothingThomas Jefferson Wells10,80539.85%Total Vote27,111
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