1956 Illinois gubernatorial election

The Illinois gubernatorial election of 1956 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

November 6, 1956
Turnout	82.69% 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

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. "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 4 July 2020.
2. "Former Illinois Governor William G. Stratton dies at 86". The Quad-City Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
3. "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the PRIMARY ELECTION MARCH 16, 1982" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
4. "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1982" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
5. "Our Campaigns - Candidate - Herbert C. Paschen". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
6. "The Daily Banner 28 August 1956 — Hoosier State Chronicles: Indiana's Digital Historic Newspaper Program". newspapers.library.in.gov. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
7. "National Affairs: Substitution in Illinois". Time. 17 September 1956. Retrieved 21 December 2020.