William Sprague Whig Samuel Ward King (acting) Whig The 1839 Rhode Island gubernatorial election was held on April 17, 1839.

[1][2] Incumbent Whig governor William Sprague ran for re-election for a second term against Democratic nominee Nathaniel Bullock and Liberal nominee Tristram Burges.

Since no candidate received a majority in the popular vote, the senior senator, Samuel Ward King, acted as governor for the term.

[3]