1840 Kentucky gubernatorial election

The 1840 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on August 3, 1840, in order to elect the Governor of Kentucky. Whig nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 5th district Robert P. Letcher defeated Democratic nominee and former member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 11th district Richard French.

General election

On election day, August 3, 1840, Whig nominee Robert P. Letcher won the election by a margin of 15,711 votes against his opponent Democratic nominee Richard French, thereby retaining Whig control over the office of governor. Letcher was sworn in as the 15th governor of Kentucky on August 25, 1840.