1872 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. Republican candidate and incumbent governor Seth Padelford won his fourth and final one-year term as governor against Democratic candidate Olney Arnold.

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.

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.