Incumbent WhigGovernorWilliam W. Hoppin had changed parties before the election and had instead joined the Republican party, by being the incumbent Governor, Hoppin's quickly became the Republican nominee for re-election. On election day, 2 April 1856, incumbent RepublicanGovernorWilliam W. Hoppin won re-election by a margin of 2,734 votes against his Democratic opponent Americus V. Potter, thereby retaining Republican control over the office of Governor. Hoppin was sworn in for his third term on 26 May 1856.[2]