Shortly after his victory in the 1894 gubernatorial election, Republican Governor Joshua H. Marvil died.

State Senate Speaker William T. Watson, a Democrat, became Governor and a new election for a full four-year term was scheduled in 1896.

[4] The anti-Addicks faction, which held the official Republican banner, nominated former State Representative John C.

[5] The fragmentation continued throughout the campaign, and despite rumors that the fractions would reunite and nominate a single candidate, they did not do so.

[6] The split ended up destroying the Republican Party's chances of regaining the governorship; Tunnell defeated Hoffecker and Higgins by a wide margin, though he fell far short of a majority.