Gubernatorial elections
United States elections · 1896 · held
State gubernatorial races held in this election year. Each governor is elected separately; there is no combined national percentage.
State races and results map
Each race has its own denominator. Missing counts are blank. The interactive map uses modern state outlines as navigation references.
Alabama — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph F. Johnston | Democratic | — | 59.01% | Elected |
| Albert Taylor Goodwyn | Populist | — | 40.99% | — |
Retired to run for U.S. Senate, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Arkansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Webster Jones | Democratic | — | 64.26% | Elected |
| Harmon L. Remmel | Republican | — | 25.28% | — |
| Abner W. Files | Populist | — | 9.86% | — |
| J. W. Miller | Prohibition | — | 0.60% | — |
Retired to run for U.S. Senate, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Colorado — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alva Adams | Democratic | — | 46.22% | Elected |
| Morton Shelley Bailey | Populist | — | 37.98% | — |
| George W. Allen | Republican | — | 12.66% | — |
| Davis H. Waite | Midroad-Populist | — | 1.78% | — |
[data missing]
Sources & further reading
Connecticut — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lorrin A. Cooke | Republican | — | 62.53% | Elected |
| Joseph B. Sargent | Democratic | — | 32.48% | — |
| Lewis Sperry | National Democratic | — | 3.21% | — |
| Edward Manchester | Prohibition | — | 1.06% | — |
| John A. Norton | Socialist Labor | — | 0.72% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Delaware — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ebe W. Tunnell | Democratic | — | 44.20% | Elected |
| John H. Hoffecker | Union Republican | — | 31.40% | — |
| John C. Higgins | Anti-Addicks Republican | — | 20.39% | — |
| Louis N. Slaughter | Single Tax | — | 2.44% | — |
| Daniel M. Green | Prohibition | — | 1.56% | — |
Term-limited, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Florida — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William D. Bloxham | Democratic | — | 66.71% | Elected |
| Edward R. Gunby | Republican | — | 20.35% | — |
| William A. Wicks | Populist | — | 12.94% | — |
Term-limited, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Georgia — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Yates Atkinson | Democratic | — | 58.47% | Elected |
| Seaborn Wright | Populist | — | 41.53% | — |
Re-elected, 58.47%
Sources & further reading
Idaho — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Steunenberg | Democratic | — | 76.79% | Elected |
| David Budlong | Republican | — | 22.38% | — |
| Moses F. Fowler | Prohibition | — | 0.83% | — |
Retired, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Illinois — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Riley Tanner | Republican | — | 54.10% | Elected |
| George Washington Gere | Prohibition | — | 1.34% | — |
| William St. John Forman | National Democratic | — | 0.75% | — |
| Charles A. Baustian | Socialist Labor | — | 0.09% | — |
| Isaac W. Higgs | National Prohibition | — | 0.07% | — |
Defeated, 43.66%
Sources & further reading
Indiana — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James A. Mount | Republican | — | 50.93% | Elected |
| Benjamin F. Shively | Democratic | — | 46.79% | — |
| Thomas Wadsworth | Populist | — | 1.37% | — |
| Leander M. Crist | Prohibition | — | 0.48% | — |
| A. G. Burkhart | National Prohibition | — | 0.40% | — |
| Philip H. Moore | Socialist Labor | — | 0.04% | — |
Term-limited, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Kansas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John W. Leedy | Populist | — | 50.56% | Elected |
| Horace Hurley | Prohibition | — | 0.71% | — |
| Henry L. Douthart | National Prohibition | — | 0.23% | — |
| A. E. Kepford | Independent Prohibition | — | 0.21% | — |
Defeated, 48.30%
Sources & further reading
Louisiana — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murphy J. Foster | Democratic | — | 56.27% | Elected |
| John N. Pharr | Populist | — | 43.64% | — |
Re-elected, 56.27%
Sources & further reading
Maine — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Llewellyn Powers | Republican | — | 66.84% | Elected |
| Melvin P. Frank | Democratic | — | 27.79% | — |
| Luther C. Bateman | Populist | — | 2.67% | — |
| Ammi S. Ladd | Prohibition | — | 2.19% | — |
| William H. Clifford | National Democratic | — | 0.49% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Massachusetts — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roger Wolcott (acting) | Republican | — | 67.05% | Elected |
| George Fred Williams | Democratic | — | 26.92% | — |
| Frederick O. Prince | National Democratic | — | 3.68% | — |
| Thomas C. Brophy | Socialist Labor | — | 1.18% | — |
| Allen Coffin | Prohibition | — | 1.16% | — |
Re-elected, 67.05%
Sources & further reading
Michigan — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazen S. Pingree | Republican | — | 55.57% | Elected |
| Charles R. Sligh | Democratic | — | 40.35% | — |
| Rufus S. Sprague | National Democratic | — | 1.78% | — |
| Robert C. Safford | Prohibition | — | 1.00% | — |
| John Gilberson | National Prohibition | — | 0.35% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Minnesota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Marston Clough (acting) | Republican | — | 49.18% | Elected |
| John Lind | Democratic | — | 48.10% | — |
| William J. Dean | Prohibition | — | 1.53% | — |
| Albert Alonzo Ames | Independent | — | 0.86% | — |
| William B. Hammond | Socialist Labor | — | 0.33% | — |
Re-elected, 49.18%
Sources & further reading
Missouri — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lon Vest Stephens | Democratic | — | 52.88% | Elected |
| Robert E. Lewis | Republican | — | 46.35% | — |
| Herman P. Faris | Prohibition | — | 0.39% | — |
| J. McDowell Trimble | National Democratic | — | 0.27% | — |
| Louis C. Fry | Socialist Labor | — | 0.11% | — |
Term-limited, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Montana — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Burns Smith | Democratic | — | 70.99% | Elected |
| Alexander C. Botkin | Republican | — | 29.01% | — |
Lost re-nomination, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Nebraska — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silas A. Holcomb | Populist | — | 53.46% | Elected |
| John H. McColl | Republican | — | 43.50% | — |
| Robert S. Bibb | National Democratic | — | 1.63% | — |
| Joel Warner | Prohibition | — | 0.72% | — |
| Richard H. Hawley | National Prohibition | — | 0.43% | — |
| Charles Sadilek | Socialist Labor | — | 0.27% | — |
Re-elected, 53.46%
Sources & further reading
New Hampshire — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George A. Ramsdell | Republican | — | 61.41% | Elected |
| Henry O. Kent | Democratic | — | 35.96% | — |
| John C. Berry | Prohibition | — | 1.34% | — |
| Harry H. Acton | Socialist Labor | — | 0.61% | — |
| Gardiner J. Greenleaf | Populist | — | 0.36% | — |
| George W. Barnard | National | — | 0.29% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
New York — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank S. Black | Republican | — | 55.28% | Elected |
| Wilbur E. Porter | Democratic | — | 40.33% | — |
| Daniel G. Griffin | National Democratic | — | 1.87% | — |
| Howard Balkam | Socialist Labor | — | 1.29% | — |
| William W. Smith | Prohibition | — | 1.22% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
North Carolina — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Lindsay Russell | Republican | — | 46.46% | Elected |
| Cyrus B. Watson | Democratic | — | 43.89% | — |
| William A. Guthrie | Populist | — | 9.41% | — |
| James R. Jones | National Prohibition | — | 0.17% | — |
| Jeremiah W. Holt | Prohibition | — | 0.07% | — |
Term-limited, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
North Dakota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank A. Briggs | Republican | — | 55.61% | Elected |
| Robert B. Richardson | Populist | — | 44.39% | — |
Lost re-nomination, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Rhode Island — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles W. Lippitt | Republican | — | 56.40% | Elected |
| George L. Littlefield | Democratic | — | 33.79% | — |
| Thomas H. Peabody | Prohibition | — | 5.84% | — |
| Edward W. Thienert | Socialist Labor | — | 2.52% | — |
| Henry A. Burlingame | Populist | — | 1.45% | — |
Re-elected, 56.40%
Sources & further reading
South Carolina — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Haselden Ellerbe | Democratic | — | 89.18% | Elected |
| Sampson Pope | Lily-White Republican | — | 6.65% | — |
| R. M. Wallace | Black and Tan Republican | — | 4.17% | — |
Retired, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
South Dakota — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrew E. Lee | Populist | — | 49.76% | Elected |
| A. O. Ringsrud | Republican | — | 49.37% | — |
| J. F. Hanson | Prohibition | — | 0.87% | — |
Retired, Populist victory
Sources & further reading
Tennessee — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Love Taylor | Democratic | — | 48.76% | Elected |
| G. N. Tillman | Republican | — | 46.62% | — |
| A. L. Mims | Populist | — | 3.74% | — |
| Josephus Hopwood | Prohibition | — | 0.88% | — |
Retired, Democratic victory
Sources & further reading
Texas — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charles A. Culberson | Democratic | — | 55.31% | Elected |
| Jerome C. Kearby | Republican | — | 44.22% | — |
| Randolph Clark | Prohibition | — | 0.35% | — |
Re-elected, 55.31%
Sources & further reading
Vermont — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Josiah Grout | Republican | — | 76.41% | Elected |
| J. Henry Jackson | Democratic | — | 21.25% | — |
| Joseph Battell | Populist | — | 1.19% | — |
| Rodney Whittemore | Prohibition | — | 1.08% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Washington — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Rankin Rogers | Populist | — | 55.55% | Elected |
| Potter C. Sullivan | Republican | — | 41.68% | — |
| Robert E. Dunlap | Prohibition | — | 2.78% | — |
Retired, Populist victory
Sources & further reading
West Virginia — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| George W. Atkinson | Republican | — | 52.41% | Elected |
| Cornelius Clarkson Watts | Democratic | — | 46.44% | — |
| T. C. Johnson | Prohibition | — | 0.67% | — |
| N. W. Fitzgerald | Populist | — | 0.40% | — |
Term-limited, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Wisconsin — Governor — General
Popular election. Popular votes in this state contest
| Candidate | Party | Votes | Share | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edward Scofield | Republican | — | 59.67% | Elected |
| Willis C. Silverthorn | Democratic | — | 38.11% | — |
| Joshua H. Berkey | Prohibition | — | 1.83% | — |
| Christ Tuttrop | Socialist Labor | — | 0.29% | — |
| Robert Henderson | National Prohibition | — | 0.09% | — |
Retired, Republican victory
Sources & further reading
Results: final · partial coverage · Separate state governor races
This entry covers governor elections held in the election year, including available special contests, not off-year elections or every sitting governor. Candidate-specific ideology is used where sourced; election-era party ideology is the fallback. Historical indirect selections and unavailable counts are identified separately. Source summaries may omit minor candidates; blank values do not mean zero votes.