1872 Rhode Island gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	1872 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
Before Party:	Republican
Before Election:	Seth Padelford
After Party:	Republican
After Election:	Seth Padelford
Governor
Party Name:	no
Popular Vote1:	9,463
Type:	presidential
Party1:	Republican
Nominee1:	Seth Padelford
Image1 Upright:	.5
Image1:	SethPadelford.jpg
Percentage1:	53.25%
Party2:	Democratic
Nominee2:	Olney Arnold
Popular Vote2:	8,308
Percentage2:	46.75%
Map Size:	225px
Election Date:	April 3, 1872
Ongoing:	no
Next Year:	1873
Next Election:	1873 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	1871
Previous Election:	1871 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

The 1872 Rhode Island gubernatorial election took place on April 3, 1872 in order to elect the governor of Rhode Island.^[1] Republican candidate and incumbent governor Seth Padelford won his fourth and final one-year term as governor^[2] against Democratic candidate Olney Arnold.^[3]

Candidates

Seth Padelford, the Republican nominee, was the incumbent governor. He had previously served in the Rhode Island House of Representatives for two years, ran and lost in the 1860 Rhode Island gubernatorial election as the Republican nominee, and was the Lieutenant Governor of Rhode Island from 1863 to 1865 under James Y. Smith.^[4]

Olney Arnold (not to be confused with Olney Arnold), the Democratic nominee, was a prominent banker in Rhode Island. Under Governor William Sprague IV, he organized companies of the Rhode Island Militia for the American Civil War, and was promoted to major general. He was well-regarded by the veterans of the state for his service.^[5]

Election

Statewide

Notes and References

Book: Dubin, Michael J.. United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911 The Official Results by State and County. 2014. 6. McFarland . 9780786456468 .
Web site: Seth Padelford . National Governors Association . 27 March 2024 . 1 January 2019.
News: Rhode Island Election The State all Right! . 30 March 2024 . Newport Daily News . 4 April 1872 . 2.
Web site: Seth Padelford . National Governors Association . 27 March 2024 . 1 January 2019.
Book: Bayles . Richard M. . History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume II . 1891 . W. W. Preston & Co. . New York, NY, USA . 102–104 . 30 March 2024.