1900 Kentucky gubernatorial special election

The 1900 Kentucky gubernatorial special election was held on November 6, 1900. Incumbent Democratic governor J. C. W. Beckham was elected to complete William Goebel's term with 49.88% of the vote.

Background

In the 1899 Kentucky gubernatorial election, J. C. W. Beckham was the running mate of Democratic nominee William Goebel, who lost the election to Republican nominee William S. Taylor. On January 31, 1900, Democrats in the Kentucky General Assembly successfully overturned the election results, handing the governorship to Goebel. However, having been shot the day before, he died three days later, so Beckham ascended to the governorship.

General election

Candidates

J. C. W. Beckham, Democratic, incumbent governor
John W. Yerkes, Republican, member of the Republican National Committee, former Republican state chairman, former collector of internal revenue for Kentucky's 8th district
A. H. Cardin, Populist, farmer, chairman of the Kentucky state central committee, Union Labor candidate for governor in 1887
James Doyle, Socialist Labor
Walter T. Roberts, Social Democrat, physician
John D. White, Prohibition, lawyer, former U.S. representative

Campaign

Due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the 1899 election, a special election was held on November 6, 1900, to determine who would complete Goebel's unexpired term. Beckham won the election over Republican John W. Yerkes by 3,689 votes.