1851 Rhode Island gubernatorial election

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.

General election
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.