Incumbent Republican Governor Frank S. Black was defeated for re-nomination by Theodore Roosevelt, the former United States Assistant Secretary of the Navy and a returning hero of the Spanish–American War.

In the general election, Roosevelt narrowly defeated judge Augustus Van Wyck.

The Citizens' Union Executive Committee endorsed the Roosevelt plan with only three dissenting votes.

On September 24, three days ahead of the Republican state convention, Roosevelt suddenly declined to run on the independent ticket.

Roosevelt immediately sent a letter to the Secretary of State declining to run on the independent ticket, which would have threatened Republican candidates for lower offices.