Elias Carr Democratic Daniel Lindsay Russell Republican The 1896 North Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1896.

Republican nominee Daniel Lindsay Russell defeated Democratic nominee Cyrus B. Watson with 46.52% of the vote.

This was the only election in North Carolina between 1872 and 1972 in which the Republican nominee won the governor's office.

[1] The state Democratic Party convention was held on June 25, 1896.

[2] The state Republican Party convention was held on May 15, 1896.