James M. Harvey Republican Thomas A. Osborn Republican The 1872 Kansas gubernatorial election was held on 5 November 1872 in order to elect the Governor of Kansas.

Republican nominee and former Lieutenant Governor of Kansas Thomas A. Osborn defeated Liberal Republican nominee Thaddeus H.

Walker.

[1] On election day, 5 November 1872, Republican nominee Thomas A. Osborn won the election by a margin of 32,017 votes against his opponent Liberal Republican nominee Thaddeus H. Walker, thereby retaining Republican control over the office of Governor.

Osborn was sworn in as the 6th Governor of Kansas on 13 January 1873.