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.
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County Results Walker: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% Ogilvie: 50-60% 60-70% | ||||||||||||||||||||
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
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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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
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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
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ± | |
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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 | ||||