The 1838 Illinois gubernatorial election was the sixth quadrennial election for this office. Democratic nominee Thomas Carlin was elected by a bare majority of the voters in a close election. He defeated Whig nominee Cyrus Edwards, the brother of former governor Ninian Edwards, for the office.Robert P. Howard, rev. by Peggy Boyer Long and Mike Lawrence, Mostly Good and Competent Men, 2nd Edition (University of Illinois Press and Illinois State historical Society 1988, at p. 54
Originally, the Democratic Party had nominated James W. Stephenson to be their candidate. However, Stephenson was forced to withdrawal from the election after he was caught in an embezzling scandal related to his time as the state's Register of Lands.Moses, John. Illinois, Historical and Statistical. Fergus Printing Company: 1889, p. 424. Retrieved August 15, 2007.Simon, Paul. Lincoln's Preparation for Greatness: The Illinois Legislative Years. University of Illinois Press: 1989, p. 152, (). Retrieved August 15, 2007. A second Democratic convention was convened in June 1838 and Carlin, who had a reputation for honesty, was selected as the replacement nominee.
General election
Candidates
Thomas Carlin, former state senator from Carrollton (Democratic) Cyrus Edwards, state senator from Edwardsville and brother of former governor Ninian Edwards (Whig)
Withdrew
James W. Stephenson, state senator from Galena and registrar of lands (Democratic)
Results
See also
1838 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election
References
Illinois Blue Book 1899