| Election Name: | 1851 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1850 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1850 |
| Next Election: | 1852 Rhode Island gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1852 |
| Election Date: | 2 April 1851 |
| Nominee1: | Philip Allen |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 6,935 |
| Percentage1: | 52.37% |
| Nominee2: | Josiah Chapin |
| Party2: | Whig Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote2: | 6,106 |
| Percentage2: | 46.11% |
| Nominee3: | Edward Harris |
| Party3: | Free Soil Party |
| Popular Vote3: | 184 |
| Percentage3: | 1.39% |
| Map Size: | 200px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Henry B. Anthony |
| Before Party: | Whig Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Philip Allen |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1851 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on 2 April 1851 in order to elect the Governor of Rhode Island. Democratic nominee and former member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives Philip Allen defeated Whig nominee Josiah Chapin and Free Soil nominee Edward Harris.[1]
Incumbent Whig Governor Henry B. Anthony declined to seek re-election to a third term, so his party instead nominated Josiah Chapin in order to keep the office of Governor under Whig control. Meanwhile Free Soil candidate Edward Harris was nominated for a third consecutive time after his election losses during the 1849 and 1850 Rhode Island gubernatorial election. On election day, 2 April 1851, democratic nominee Philip Allen won the election by a margin of 829 votes against his foremost opponent Josiah Chapin. Allen was sworn in as the 22nd Governor of Rhode Island on 6 May 1851.[2]