Incumbent Republican Governor Alvan T. Fuller was elected over Democrat William A. Gaston.

Harry J. Dooley and Joseph B. Ely competed for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

Dooley refused the nomination as did Ely, who believed the means to be an embarrassment (but officially cited his mother's illness as his reason for declining).

[5] Dooley was replaced on the general election ballot by Fall River Mayor Edmond P. Talbot.

Party leadership hoped that the popular French-Canadian politician would help the ticket attract votes from the state's 75,000 to 80,000 French-speaking residents, 75% of which were believed to be Republican supporters.