1972 Illinois gubernatorial election

The Illinois gubernatorial election of 1972 was held in Illinois on November 7, 1972. The Republican nominee, incumbent Governor Richard B. Ogilvie lost reelection to the Democratic candidate, Dan Walker.

1972 Illinois gubernatorial election

November 7, 1972
 
Nominee Dan Walker Richard B. Ogilvie
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Neil Hartigan James D. Nowlan
Popular vote 2,371,303 2,293,809
Percentage 50.7% 49.0%

County Results
Walker:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Ogilvie:      50-60%      60-70%

Governor before election

Richard B. Ogilvie
Republican

Elected Governor

Dan Walker
Democratic

Election information

This was the first gubernatorial elections in which gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates were elected on a ticket in the general election, per the 1970 Constitution of Illinois.

The election coincided with those for federal offices (United States President, Senate, and House) and those for other state offices. The election was part of the 1972 Illinois elections.

The primaries were held on March 21, 1972.

Democratic primaries

Governor

In an upset, Dan Walker won a close primary against then-Lt. Governor Paul Simon. Paul Simon had been the candidate slated by the state party.

1972 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Illinois[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Dan Walker 735,193 51.41 N/A
Democratic Paul Simon 694,900 48.59 N/A
Majority 40,923 2.82
Turnout 1,430,093

Lieutenant Governor

Neil Hartigan, the candidate slated by the state party, defeated Carbondale mayor Neal Eckert, Hartigan's declared preferred running-mate.

Republican primary

Governor

Ogilvie won renomination easily. His main rival, John M. Mathis was a favorite son of the Peoria area, and fared poorly elsewhere.

1972 Republican gubernatorial primary, Illinois[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Richard B. Ogilvie (incumbent) 442,323 75.54 N/A
Republican John M. Mathis 143,053 24.43 N/A
Republican write-ins 201 0.03 N/A
Majority 299,270 51.11
Turnout 585,577

Lieutenant Governor

James D. Nowlan won the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor.

General election

1972 gubernatorial election, Illinois[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Democratic Dan Walker 2,372,313 50.68 +2.31
Republican Richard B. Ogilvie (incumbent) 2,293,809 49.02 -2.19
Socialist Labor George LaForest 7,966 0.17 -0.26
Communist Ishmael Flory 4,592 0.10 N/A
N/A write-ins 1,373 0.03 N/A
Majority 77,494 1.66 -1.18
Turnout 4,679,043
Democratic gain from Republican Swing

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.