The 1916 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1916. Incumbent Democratic Governor Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne was defeated by Republican nominee Frank Orren Lowden.
Primary elections
Primary elections were held on September 13, 1916.
Democratic primary
Candidates
- William B. Brinton, manufacturer
- Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne, incumbent Governor
- James Traynor
Results
Republican primary
Candidates
- Morton D. Hull, State Senator
- Frank Orren Lowden, former U.S. Representative for Illinois's 13th congressional district
- Frank Leslie Smith, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor in 1904
Results
Progressive primary
No candidates stood in the Progressive primary, and the Progressive Party did not put forward a candidate in the general election.
Results
Socialist primary
Candidates
- Seymour Stedman, candidate for Mayor of Chicago in 1915
Results
General election
Candidates
- Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne, Democratic
- John M. Francis, Socialist Labor, perennial candidate
- John R. Golden, Prohibition, pastor and former state legislator
- Frank Orren Lowden, Republican
- Seymour Stedman, Socialist
Results
870,154, or 39.7%, fewer votes were cast in the gubernatorial election than in the presidential this year, as Illinois allowed women to vote for presidential electors, but not constitutional offices.
See also
- 1916 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election
References
Bibliography
- Glashan, Roy R. (1979). American Governors and Gubernatorial Elections, 1775-1978. Meckler Books. ISBN 0-930466-17-9.
- Samuel K. Gove, ed. (1959). Illinois Votes 1900-1958: A Compilation of Illinois Election Statistics. Urbana-Champaign, Illinois: University of Illinois.
- Compiled by Louis L. Emmerson, Secretary of State (1917). Official vote of the State of Illinois cast at the General Election, November 7, 1916; Judicial Elections, 1915-1916; Primary Elections, April 11 and September 13, 1916. Springfield, Illinois: Illinois State Journal Co., State Printers.


