Powell Clayton Republican Elisha Baxter Republican The 1872 Arkansas gubernatorial election was held on 5 November 1872, in order to elect the Governor of Arkansas.

[1] The results of the election led to the Brooks-Baxter War, in which Brooks unsuccessfully attempted to take control of the state government with force.

[2] On election day, 5 November 1872, Republican nominee Elisha Baxter won the election by a margin of 2,866 votes against his opponent Liberal Republican nominee Joseph Brooks, thereby retaining Republican control over the office of Governor.

Democrats did not nominate a candidate and many supported Baxter.

Baxter was sworn in as the 10th Governor of Arkansas on 6 January 1873.