1872 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

1872 Rhode Island gubernatorial election
	County results; Padelford: 50–60% 60–70%; Arnold: 50–60%; Tie: 50%
Governor before election; Seth Padelford ; Republican	Elected Governor ; Seth Padelford ; Republican

Last updated October 19, 2025

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

Republican Party

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.^[2]

Democratic Party

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.^[4]

Election

Statewide

1872 Rhode Island gubernatorial election^[1]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Seth Padelford	9,463	53.25
	Democratic	Olney Arnold	8,308	46.75
Total votes			17,771	100.00
	Republican hold

References

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

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[dubin-1] 1 2 Dubin, Michael J. (2014). United States Gubernatorial Elections, 1861-1911 | The Official Results by State and County. McFarland. p. 6. ISBN 9780786456468.

[nga-Padelford-2] 1 2 "Seth Padelford". National Governors Association. January 1, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2024.

[ndn-election-3] "Rhode Island Election | The State all Right!". Newport Daily News. April 4, 1872. p. 2. Retrieved March 30, 2024.

[bayles-history-4] Bayles, Richard M., ed. (1891). History of Providence County, Rhode Island, Volume II (PDF). New York, NY, USA: W. W. Preston & Co. pp. 102–104. Retrieved March 30, 2024.

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