1956 Illinois gubernatorial election

For related races, see 1956 United States gubernatorial elections.

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]

1956 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1952 November 6, 1956 1960 →
Turnout	82.69% 0.57 pp
Nominee William Stratton Richard B. Austin (replacing Herbert C. Paschen) 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

Background

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.

In the primaries (held on April 10, 1960), 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]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Ran

• Herbert C. Paschen, Cook County treasurer and 1952 lieutenant gubernatorial nominee^[5][6]
• Morris B. Sachs, Chicago treasurer

Declined to run

• Stephen A. Mitchell,^[7] former chair of the Democratic National Committee and candidate for 1960 gubernatorial nomination
• Sargent Shriver,^[8] president of the Chicago Board of Education

Results

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

Candidates

• Lawrence Joseph Sarsfield Daly, perennial candidate
• William Stratton, incumbent governor
• Sidney McKee Ward
• Anthony A. Polley
• Warren Wright, Illinois treasurer

Results

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 First" 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,^[9] and was replaced by Richard B. Austin.^[7]

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