William H. Upham Republican Edward Scofield Republican The 1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 3, 1896.

Incumbent Republican Governor William H. Upham retired.

[1] Republican nominee Edward Scofield defeated Democratic nominee Willis C. Silverthorn with 59.67% of the vote.

Scofield's popular vote share was the highest in the state's history for a gubernatorial candidate to that point, reflecting the state's transition from a Republican-leaning but competitive state to one dominated by the Republicans.

Major party candidates Other candidates Scofield was the first Republican to ever win Dodge County, Manitowoc County, and Washington County; Dodge County would not vote Republican again until 1916.