Erastus Fairbanks Whig John S. Robinson Democratic The 1853 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on September 6.

[1] The same three candidates who ran for governor of Vermont in 1852 ran again in 1853: Whig and incumbent Erastus Fairbanks, Democratic candidate John S. Robinson, and Lawrence Brainerd, the nominee of the Free Soil Party.

[2] Because no candidate received a majority, the Vermont Constitution required the contest to be settled by the Vermont General Assembly.

[2] In the October 27 voting, 119 to 121 votes were necessary for a choice, depending on how many members of the Vermont Senate and Vermont House of Representatives took part in each ballot.

[2] Robinson took the oath of office and began a one-year term on October 28.