The 1894 Delaware gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1894. Incumbent Democratic Governor
Robert J. Reynolds was barred from seeking a second term.
Sussex County Clerk of the Peace
Ebe W. Tunnell won the Democratic nomination to succeed Reynolds and faced businessman
Joshua H. Marvil, the Republican nominee, in the general election. Though the Republican Party had long been dormant in the state, it had almost won the
1890 gubernatorial election. This year, Marvil narrowly defeated Tunnell, becoming the first Republican to win a gubernatorial election since 1862. However, Marvil's term as Governor did not last long; he died on April 8, 1895, elevating State Senate President
William T. Watson to the governorship. Tunnell would later go on to be elected Governor in
1896.