On election day, 6 April 1853, incumbent DemocraticGovernorPhilip Allen won re-election by a margin of 2,243 votes against his foremost opponent William W. Hoppin, thereby keeping democratic control over the office of Governor. Free Soil nominee Edward Harris also was unable to be elected as Governor for the fourth time, after his election losses in the gubernatorial elections of 1849, 1850 and 1851. Allen was sworn in for his third term on 6 May 1853.[2]