The 1912 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Republican incumbent Charles S. Deneen ran for a third term in office but was defeated by the Democratic former mayor of Chicago Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne.

Primary elections were held on April 9. Dunne defeated 1900 nominee Sam Alschuler and former U.S. representative Ben Caldwell in the Democratic primary. Deneen survived a serious primary challenge from several candidates, led by former state treasurer Len Small, with just a plurality of the vote.

Dunne was the first Democratic Governor of Illinois elected since 1892 and only the second since 1852. To date, this is the first and only time that a former Chicago mayor was elected governor of Illinois.

Republican primary

Candidates John J. Brown, former state representative from Vandalia Charles S. Deneen, incumbent governor of Illinois since 1905 Charles F. Hurburgh, state senator from Galesburg Walter C. Jones, state senator from Chicago J. McCan Davis, clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois Len Small, former Illinois treasurer John E. W. Wayman, Cook County state's attorney Richard Yates Jr., former governor of Illinois

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates Samuel Alschuler, former state representative from Aurora and nominee for governor in 1900 Ben F. Caldwell, former U.S. representative from Chatham George E. Dickson Edward F. Dunne, former mayor of Chicago

Results

Other primaries

Prohibition primary Candidates Edwin R. Worrell, Presbyterian minister

Results

Socialist primary Candidates John C. Kennedy, Chicago alderman for the 27th ward

Results

General election Candidates Charles S. Deneen, incumbent governor since 1905 (Republican) Edward F. Dunne, former mayor of Chicago (Democratic) John M. Francis, perennial candidate (Socialist Labor) Frank H. Funk, former state senator (Progressives for S.J.) John C. Kennedy, Chicago alderman for the 27th ward (Socialist) Edwin R. Worrell, Presbyterian minister (Prohibition)

Results

See also 1912 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election

Notes

References

Bibliography