1803 Ohio gubernatorial election

The 1803 Ohio gubernatorial election was held on January 11, 1803, in order to elect the first Governor of Ohio upon Ohio acquiring statehood on March 1, 1803. Democratic-Republican nominee and former Speaker of the Northwest Territory House of Representatives Edward Tiffin defeated Federalist candidates Benjamin I. Gilman, Arthur St. Clair and Bezaleel Wells.

General election

On election day, January 11, 1803, Democratic-Republican nominee Edward Tiffin won the election by a margin of 5,133 votes against his foremost opponent Federalist candidate Benjamin I. Gilman, establishing Democratic-Republican control over the new office of Governor. Tiffin was sworn in as the first Governor of the new state of Ohio on March 3, 1803.