The Democratic party nominated Americus V. Potter for a third consecutive time following his election losses in the 1855 and 1856 Rhode Island gubernatorial election. On election day, 1 April 1857, Republican nominee Elisha Dyer won the election by a margin of 4,268 votes against his Democratic opponent Americus V. Potter, thereby retaining Republican control over the office of Governor. Dyer was sworn in as the 25th Governor of Rhode Island on 26 May 1857.[2]