The 1851 Michigan gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 1851. Democratic nominee Robert McClelland defeated Whig nominee Townsend E. Gidley with 58.50% of the vote.
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Major party candidates
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Robert McClelland | 23,827 | 58.50 | |
| Whig | Townsend E. Gidley | 16,901 | 41.50 | |
| Total votes | 40,728 | 100 | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
