| Election Name: | 1856 North Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Country: | North Carolina |
| Type: | Presidential |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1854 North Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Previous Year: | 1854 |
| Next Election: | 1858 North Carolina gubernatorial election |
| Next Year: | 1858 |
| Election Date: | 7 August 1856 |
| Nominee1: | Thomas Bragg |
| Party1: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| Popular Vote1: | 57,698 |
| Percentage1: | 56.20% |
| Nominee2: | John Adams Gilmer |
| Party2: | Know Nothing |
| Popular Vote2: | 44,970 |
| Percentage2: | 43.80% |
| Map Size: | 305px |
| Governor | |
| Before Election: | Thomas Bragg |
| Before Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
| After Election: | Thomas Bragg |
| After Party: | Democratic Party (United States) |
The 1856 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on 7 August 1856 in order to elect the Governor of North Carolina. Incumbent Democratic Governor Thomas Bragg won re-election against Know Nothing nominee and former member of the North Carolina Senate John Adams Gilmer.[1]
On election day, 7 August 1856, incumbent Democratic Governor Thomas Bragg won re-election by a margin of 12,728 votes against his opponent Know Nothing nominee John Adams Gilmer, thereby retaining Democratic control over the office of Governor. Bragg was sworn in for his second term on 1 January 1857.[2]