| Election Name: | 1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1868 Kentucky gubernatorial special election |
| Previous Year: | 1868 (special) |
| Next Election: | 1875 Kentucky gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1875 |
| Election Date: | August 7, 1871 |
| Nominee1: | Preston Leslie |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 126,445 |
| Percentage1: | 58.61% |
| Nominee2: | John Marshall Harlan |
| Party2: | Republican Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 89,298 |
| Percentage2: | 41.39% |
| Map Size: | 300px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Preston Leslie |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Preston Leslie |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1871 Kentucky gubernatorial election was held on August 7, 1871. Incumbent Democrat Preston Leslie defeated Republican nominee John Marshall Harlan with 58.61% of the vote.
The two candidates campaigned in a somewhat unusual fashion. They traveled together, often speaking to the same audiences on the same stages where they debated.[2] They were personally cordial and often shared lodging during the campaign.[3]
The gubernatorial election was the first in Kentucky since Black suffrage.[3]