 | |||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 84.99% 2.30pp | ||||||||||||||||
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 County results Kerner: 50–60% 60–70% Stratton: 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The1960 Illinois gubernatorial election was held inIllinois on November 8, 1960.[1]
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 the1958 elections.[2] IncumbentGovernorWilliam Stratton, a Republican seeking a third term, lost reelection to DemocratOtto Kerner Jr.
Theprimaries and general election both coincided with those for federal offices (United States President,House, andUnited States Senate) and those for other state offices. The election was part of the1960 Illinois elections.
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 were held on April 12, 1960.[1]
Names floated as potential Democratic contenders included formerIllinois GovernorJohn Stelle, formerIllinois Attorney GeneralJohn Edward Cassidy, formerUnited States SenatorScott W. Lucas,President of the Chicago Board of EducationSargent Shriver, and Chicago mayorRichard J. Daley, all of whom opted not to run.[4][2] Daley, the head of theCook County Democratic Party and apolitical boss, helpedslate Otto Kerner for the nomination.[2] Kerner won the 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 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | William G. Stratton (incumbent) | 499,365 | 59.12 | |
| Republican | Hayes Robertson | 345,340 | 40.88 | |
| Write-in | 2 | 0.00 | ||
| Total votes | 844,707 | 100 | ||
| 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 | 1 | 0.00 | ||
| Total votes | 4,674,187 | 100 | ||
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