1894 Delaware gubernatorial election

1894 Delaware gubernatorial election

← 1890 November 6, 1894 1896 →
 
Nominee Joshua H. Marvil Ebe W. Tunnell
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 19,880 18,659
Percentage 50.80% 47.68%

County results

Marvil:      50–60%

Tunnell:      40–50%

Governor before election

Robert J. Reynolds
Democratic

Elected Governor

Joshua H. Marvil
Republican

The 1894 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1894. Incumbent Democratic Governor Robert J. Reynolds was barred from seeking a second term. Sussex County Clerk of the Peace Ebe W. Tunnell won the Democratic nomination to succeed Reynolds and faced businessman Joshua H. Marvil, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Though the Republican Party had long been dormant in the state, it had almost won the 1890 gubernatorial election. This year, Marvil narrowly defeated Tunnell, becoming the first Republican to win a gubernatorial election since 1862. However, Marvil's term as Governor did not last long; he died on April 8, 1895, elevating State Senate President William T. Watson to the governorship. Tunnell would later go on to be elected Governor in 1896.