1960 Illinois gubernatorial election

The Illinois gubernatorial election of 1960 was held in Illinois on November 8, 1960.[1] Incumbent Governor William Stratton, a Republican seeking a third term, lost reelection to Democrat Otto Kerner Jr.

1960 Illinois gubernatorial election
November 8, 1960
Turnout84.99% 2.30 pp
 
Nominee Otto Kerner Jr. William Stratton
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,418,394 2,239,095
Percentage 51.9% 48.1%
County Results
Kerner:      50–60%      60–70%
Stratton:      50-60%      60-70%
Governor before election

William Stratton
Republican

 Elected Governor

Otto Kerner Jr.
Democratic

Elections in Illinois

Election information

The primaries and general election both coincided with those for federal offices (United States President, House, and United States Senate) and those for other state offices. The election was part of the 1960 Illinois elections.

Background

Heading into this election, Stratton was seen as vulnerable to being unseated if the Democrats ran a strong candidate, as he had only narrowly won reelection in 1956 (despite a strong overall performance by the Republican party in the state that year), and since the Democratic Party had nationally had a strong performance in the 1958 elections.[2]

Turnout

In the primaries, turnout was 37.54%, with 1,910,956 votes cast.[1][3]

In the general election, turnout was 84.99%, with 4,674,187 votes cast.[1][3]

Primaries

Primaries were held on April 12, 1960.[1]

Democratic primary

Names floated as potential Democratic contenders included Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley.[2] Daley opted not to run.[2] Daley, the head of the Cook County Democratic Party and a political boss, helped slate Otto Kerner for the nomination.[2] Kerner won the Democratic primary.[1]

Gubernatorial Democratic primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Otto Kerner 649,253 60.89
Democratic Joseph D. Lohman 232,345 21.79
Democratic Stephen A. Mitchell 184,651 17.32
Total votes 1,066,249 100

Republican
Gubernatorial Republican primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William G. Stratton (incumbent) 499,365 59.12
Republican Hayes Robertson 345,340 40.88
Write-in Others 2 0.00
Total votes 844,707 100

General election
Gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Otto Kerner Jr. 2,594,731 55.51
Republican William G. Stratton (incumbent) 2,070,479 44.30
Socialist Labor Edward C. Cross 8,976 0.19
Write-in Others 1 0.00
Total votes 4,674,187 100
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References
  1. "OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 8, 1960 JUDICIAL ELECTION 1959-1960 • PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL 12 1960" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
  2. Cohen, Adam; Taylor, Elizabeth (2001). American Pharaoh: Mayor Richard J. Daley - His Battle for Chicago and the Nation. Little, Brown. pp. 146–148. ISBN 978-0-7595-2427-9.
  3. "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 4, 1986" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 10 April 2020.
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