| Election Name: | 1851 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1848 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1848 |
| Next Election: | 1855 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1855 |
| Election Date: | 4 August 1851 |
| Nominee1: | Lazarus W. Powell |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 54,821 |
| Percentage1: | 48.78% |
| Nominee2: | Archibald Dixon |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 54,023 |
| Percentage2: | 48.07% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | John L. Helm |
| Before Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Lazarus W. Powell |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1851 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on 4 August 1851 in order to elect the Governor of Kentucky. Democratic nominee and former member of the Kentucky House of Representatives Lazarus W. Powell defeated Whig nominee and former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky Archibald Dixon.[1] [2] [3]
On election day, 4 August 1851, Democratic nominee Lazarus W. Powell won the election by a margin of 798 votes against his foremost opponent Whig nominee Archibald Dixon, thereby gaining Democratic control over the office of Governor. Powell was sworn in as the 19th Governor of Kentucky on 2 September 1851.[4]