1956 Illinois gubernatorial election
← 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 →
Turnout82.69% Decrease 0.57 pp
 
Nominee William Stratton Richard B. Austin
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 2,171,786 2,134,909
Percentage 50.34% 49.48%
County results

Stratton:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%

Austin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Governor before election

William Stratton
Republican

Elected Governor

William Stratton
Republican

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The 1956 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 6, 1956.[1] Incumbent Governor William Stratton, a Republican, narrowly won reelection to a second term. Stratton's narrow victory came despite the fact that the Republican ticket of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon carried the state of Illinois in a landslide in the presidential election.[2]

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 1956 Illinois elections.

Turnout

In the primaries, turnout was 32.56%, with a total of 1,620,871 votes cast.[1][3]

In the general election, turnout was 82.69%, with a total of 4,314,611 ballots cast.[1][4]

Primaries

Primaries were held on April 10, 1960.[1]

Democratic primary

Cook County Treasurer[5][6] Herbert C. Paschen won the Democratic primary.

Gubernatorial Democratic primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Herbert C. Paschen 475,813 57.80
Democratic Morris B. Sachs 347,458 42.20
Write-in Others 10 0.00
Total votes 823,281 100

Republican primary

Gubernatorial Republican primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William G. Stratton (incumbent) 556,909 69.82
Republican Warren E. Wright 187,645 23.53
Republican Lar "America Fist" Daly 24,808 3.11
Republican Sidney McKee Ward 15,979 2.00
Republican Anthony A. Polley 12,217 1.53
Write-in Others 32 0.00
Total votes 797,590 100

General election

Democratic nominee Herbert C. Paschen became embroiled in scandal related to his tenure as Cook County Treasurer.[6] Paschen withdrew as the nominee.[7] Paschen was replaced by Richard B. Austin as Democratic nominee.

Gubernatorial election[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William G. Stratton (incumbent) 2,171,786 50.34
Democratic Richard B. Austin 2,134,909 49.48
Socialist Labor Edward C. Cross 7,874 0.18
Write-in Others 42 0.00
Total votes 4,314,611 100

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "OFFICIAL VOTE of the STATE OF ILLINOIS Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION, NOVEMBER 6, 1956 JUDICIAL ELECTION, 1955, 1956 • PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, APRIL 10 1958" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 4, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  2. ^ "Former Illinois Governor William G. Stratton dies at 86". The Quad-City Times. Associated Press. March 3, 2001. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  3. ^ "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 16, 1982" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 4, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1982" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved July 4, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Herbert C. Paschen". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "The Daily Banner 28 August 1956 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
  7. ^ "National Affairs: Substitution in Illinois". Time. September 17, 1956. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
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