The 1940 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1940.
Before the primary, incumbent governor Henry Horner, a Democrat, opted not to seek a third term. In October, before the general election, his death in office made John Henry Stelle assume the governorship. However, Stelle had previously failed to win the Democratic nomination in the primary.
Republican former Attorney Dwight H. Green won the election, defeating his Democratic opponent, former Mayor of Taylorville Harry B. Hershey, with 52.93% of the vote.
Democratic primary Candidates Harry B. Hershey, former mayor of Taylorville Albert Lagerstedt, former member of the Minnesota House of Representatives and unsuccessful candidate for Democratic nomination in 1938 United States Senate election in Illinois Robert W. McKinlay James O. Monroe John H. Stelle, incumbent lieutenant governor of Illinois
Results
Republican primary Candidates Dwight H. Green, Republican nominee for mayor of Chicago in 1939 Richard J. Lyons, former Illinois state representative
General election
Notes and References