1912 Illinois gubernatorial election

The 1912 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent second-term Republican governor Charles S. Deneen was defeated by the Democratic nominee, former mayor of Chicago Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne.

Dunne was the first Democratic Governor of Illinois elected since 1892, and only the second since 1852. To date, this is the first and only time that a former mayor of Chicago (Illinois’ largest city) was elected governor of Illinois.

Primary elections

Primary elections were held on April 9, 1912.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Samuel Alschuler, former State Representative
• Ben F. Caldwell, former U.S. Representative for the 21st district
• George E. Dickson
• Edward F. Dunne, former mayor of Chicago

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

• John J. Brown, former member of the Illinois House of Representatives
• Charles S. Deneen, incumbent Governor
• Charles F. Hurburgh, State Senator
• Walter C. Jones, State Senator
• J. McCan Davis, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois
• Len Small, former treasurer
• John E. W. Wayman, Cook County State's attorney
• Richard Yates Jr., former governor

Results

Prohibition primary

Candidates

• Edwin R. Worrell, Presbyterian minister

Results

Socialist primary

Candidates

• John C. Kennedy, alderman for the 27th ward

Results

General election

Candidates

• Charles S. Deneen, Republican
• Edward F. Dunne, Democratic
• John M. Francis, Socialist Labor, perennial candidate
• Frank H. Funk, Progressives for S.J., former State Senator
• John C. Kennedy, Socialist
• Edwin R. Worrell, Prohibition

Results

See also

• 1912 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election

Notes

References

Bibliography