Henry Smith Democratic-Republican Isaac Wilbour Democratic-Republican The 1806 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on 2 April 1806 in order to elect the governor of Rhode Island.

Federalist nominee Richard Jackson Jr. won a plurality of the vote against incumbent Democratic-Republican governor Henry Smith and Democratic-Republican candidate and incumbent chief justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Peleg Arnold.

However, as no candidate received a majority of the total votes cast as was required by Rhode Island law, the election was forwarded to the Rhode Island legislature.

[1][2] On election day, 2 April 1806, Federalist nominee Richard Jackson Jr. led the field by a margin of 565 votes against his foremost opponent incumbent Democratic-Republican governor Henry Smith.

As he however did not receive a majority of all votes cast, the race was ultimately awarded to Democratic-Republican lieutenant governor-elect Isaac Wilbour, who would serve out the term as acting governor, thereby retaining Democratic-Republican control over the office of governor.