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{{Short description|none}}
{{Single source|date=December 2015}}
{{for|related races|1976 United States gubernatorial elections}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election
| election_name = 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election
| country = Illinois
| country = Illinois
| type = presidential
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1972 Illinois gubernatorial election
| previous_election = 1972 Illinois gubernatorial election
| previous_year = 1972
| previous_year = 1972
| next_election = 1978 Illinois gubernatorial election
| next_election = 1978 Illinois gubernatorial election
| next_year = 1978
| next_year = 1978
| election_date = November 2, 1976
| election_date = November 2, 1976
| image1 = [[File:Bio thompson.jpg|160x160px]]
| image1 = File:Governor James Thompson (3x4).jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = '''[[James R. Thompson]]'''
| nominee1 = '''[[Jim Thompson (Illinois politician)|Jim Thompson]]'''
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| party1 = Republican Party (United States)
| running_mate1 = '''[[David C. O'Neal]]'''
| popular_vote1 = '''3,000,395'''
| running_mate1 = '''[[Dave O'Neal]]'''
| percentage1 = '''64.68%'''
| popular_vote1 = '''3,000,395'''
| percentage1 = '''64.68%'''
| image2 = [[File:Michael Howlett.jpg|160x160px]]
| image2 = File:Michael J. Howlett (Illinois Blue Book Portrait 1971-1972) (cropped).png
| nominee2 = [[Michael J. Howlett]]
| nominee2 = [[Michael Howlett]]
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| party2 = Democratic Party (United States)
| running_mate2 = [[Neil Hartigan]]
| running_mate2 = [[Neil Hartigan]]
| popular_vote2 = 1,610,258
| popular_vote2 = 1,610,258
| percentage2 = 34.71%
| percentage2 = 34.71%
| map_image = Illinois gubernatorial election, 1976.svg
| map_image = 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election results map by county.svg
| map_size = 150px
| map_size = 300px
| map_caption = County Results <br/>
| map_caption = County results <br/>
'''Thompson:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50-60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60-70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80-90%}}
'''Thompson:''' {{legend0|#e27f7f|50-60%}} {{legend0|#d75d5d|60-70%}} {{legend0|#d72f30|70-80%}} {{legend0|#c21b18|80-90%}}
'''Howlett:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}}
'''Howlett:''' {{legend0|#7996e2|50–60%}}
| title = Governor
| title = Governor
| before_election = [[Dan Walker (politician)|Dan Walker]]
| before_election = [[Dan Walker (politician)|Dan Walker]]
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| before_party = Democratic Party (United States)
| after_election = [[James R. Thompson]]
| after_election = [[James R. Thompson]]
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
| after_party = Republican Party (United States)
| turnout = 74.18% {{decrease}} 1.1 [[Percentage point|pp]]
}}
}}
{{ElectionsIL}}
[[File:Springfield (1976-10-16)(a).jpg|thumb|right|Thompson joins President [[Gerald Ford]] on a [[Whistle stop train tour|whistle stop]] in Springfield]]

The '''1976 Illinois gubernatorial election''' was held in [[Illinois]] on November 2, 1976.<ref name="results">{{cite web |title=OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1976 JUDICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, MARCH, 16, 1976 |url=https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1976/1976%20GE%20and%20PE.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714180655/https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1976/1976%20GE%20and%20PE.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 14, 2021 |publisher=Illinois State Board of Elections |access-date=26 June 2020 }}</ref> [[Incumbent]] first-term [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] [[Governor of Illinois|governor]] [[Dan Walker (politician)|Dan Walker]] lost renomination to [[Illinois Secretary of State]] [[Michael Howlett]], who was an ally of [[Chicago mayor]] [[Richard J. Daley]]. Howlett then lost the general election to Republican nominee [[James R. Thompson]]. This election was the first of seven consecutive Republican gubernatorial victories in Illinois, a streak not broken until the election of Democrat [[Rod Blagojevich]] in [[2002 Illinois gubernatorial election|2002]].
This election is the most recent time an Illinois gubernatorial election was held concurrently with a Presidential election.


==Background==
'''Gubernatorial elections''' were held in [[Illinois]] on November 2, 1976. Incumbent Governor Dan Walker lost renomination in favor of Secretary of State [[Michael J. Howlett]], who was a [[Richard J. Daley|Daley]] ally. Howlett then lost the general election to Republican [[James R. Thompson]].
This election was for a two-year term which would synchronize future gubernatorial elections with [[midterm election]] years, rather than presidential election years, as the 1970 [[Constitution of Illinois]] required gubernatorial elections to be held in midterm election years starting in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|author=w |url=http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con5.htm |title=Illinois Constitution – Article V |publisher=Ilga.gov |access-date=2015-04-04}}</ref> The previous election had been in [[1972 Illinois gubernatorial election|1972]].


The [[Partisan primary|primaries]] (held on March 16) and general election coincided with those for federal offices ([[1976 United States presidential election in Illinois|United States President]] and [[1976 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|House]]) and those for other state offices.<ref name="results"/> The election was part of the [[1976 Illinois elections]].
==Election information==
This election was for a two-year term which would synchronize future gubernatorial elections with [[midterm election]] years, rather than presidential election years, as the 1970 [[Constitution of Illinois]] required gubernatorial elections to be held in midterm election years starting in 1978.<ref>{{cite web|author=w |url=http://www.ilga.gov/commission/lrb/con5.htm |title=Illinois Constitution – Article V |publisher=Ilga.gov |date= |accessdate=2015-04-04}}</ref> The previous election had been in 1976.


Turnout in the primaries saw 38.79% in the gubernatorial primaries, with a total of 2,231,910 votes cast, and 33.89% in the lieutenant gubernatorial primary, with 1,949,469 votes cast.<ref name="results"/> Turnout during the general election was 74.18%, with 4,639,010 votes cast.<ref name="results"/>
The election coincided with those for federal offices ([[1976 United States presidential election in Illinois|United States President]] and [[1976 United States House of Representatives elections#Illinois|House]]) and those for other state offices. The election was part of the [[1976 Illinois elections]].


==Democratic primary==
==Democratic primary==
===Governor===
The incumbent Governor, [[Dan Walker (politician)|Dan Walker]], had a contentious relationship with the Daley Machine, which backed Secretary of State [[Michael J. Howlett]]. Walker carried most of the state's counties, but Howlett carried Cook county by a wide margin and was ultimately nominated.
The incumbent Governor, [[Dan Walker (politician)|Dan Walker]], had a contentious relationship with the [[Richard J. Daley|Daley]] [[Political machine|Machine]], which backed Secretary of State [[Michael Howlett]]. Walker carried most of the state's counties, but Howlett carried Cook county by a wide margin and was ultimately nominated.
[[File:Il Dem Gub primary 1976.png|thumb|left|150px|Dark Blue denotes a county carried by Howlett, and Light Blue by Walker.]]
[[File:1976_Illinois_Democratic_gubernatorial_primary_results.svg|thumb|center|County map of the 1976 Illinois Democratic gubernatorial primary <br/>
{{Election box begin | title=1976 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Illinois<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=121615 |title=IL Governor- D Primary Race - Mar 16, 1976 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2015-12-20}}</ref>}}
'''Howlett:''' {{legend0|#ffb380|50-60%}} {{legend0|#ff9955|60-70%}} <br/>
'''Walker:''' {{legend0|#ac9393|50-60%}} {{legend0|#916f6f|60-70%}} {{legend0|#6c5353|70-80%}} {{legend0|#483737|80-90%}}.]]
{{Election box begin | title=1976 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Illinois<ref name="results" />}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
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}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|party = Write-in
|candidate = write-ins
|candidate = Others
|votes = 245
|votes = 245
|percentage = 0.02
|percentage = 0.02
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|percentage =
|percentage =
|change =
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

=== Lieutenant governor ===
Incumbent Lieutenant Governor [[Neil Hartigan]] was renominated, defeating [[Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago]] commissioner [[Joanne H. Alter]].

{{Election box begin no change
| title = Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary<ref name="results"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = [[Neil F. Hartigan]] (incumbent)
| votes = 857,910
| percentage = 66.29
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Democratic Party (United States)
| candidate = [[Joanne H. Alter]]
| votes = 436,322
| percentage = 33.71
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 29
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 1,294,232
| percentage = 100
}}
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box end}}


==Republican primary==
==Republican primary==
===Governor===
Thompson won the Republican Primary in a landslide, carrying every county.
Thompson won the Republican Primary in a landslide, carrying every county.
{{Election box begin | title=1976 Republican gubernatorial primary, Illinois<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=384833 |title=IL Governor-R Primary Race - Mar 16, 1976 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2015-12-20}}</ref>}}
{{Election box begin | title=1976 Republican gubernatorial primary, Illinois<ref name="results"/>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|party = Republican Party (United States)
Line 112: Line 153:
|percentage =
|percentage =
|change =
|change =
}}
{{Election box end}}

===Lieutenant governor===
[[Dave O'Neal]] won the Republican primary, defeating Joan G. Anderson.

{{Election box begin no change
| title = Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary<ref name="results"/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = [[David C. O'Neal]]
| votes = 376,126
| percentage = 57.40
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Republican Party (United States)
| candidate = Joan G. Anderson
| votes = 279,087
| percentage = 42.59
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
| party = Write-in
| candidate = Others
| votes = 24
| percentage = 0.00
}}
{{Election box total no change
| votes = 655,237
| percentage = 100
}}
}}
{{Election box end}}
{{Election box end}}


==General election==
==General election==
[[File:Springfield (1976-10-16)(a).jpg|thumb|right|Thompson joins President [[Gerald Ford]] on a [[Whistle stop train tour|whistle stop]] in [[Springfield, Illinois|Springfield]]]]
{{Election box begin | title=1976 gubernatorial election, Illinois<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=121502 |title=IL Governor Race - Nov 07, 1978 |publisher=Our Campaigns |date= |accessdate=2015-12-20}}</ref>}}

{{Election box begin | title=1976 gubernatorial election, Illinois<ref name="results"/>}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
{{Election box winning candidate with party link|
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|party = Republican Party (United States)
|candidate = [[James R. Thompson]]
|candidate = [[James R. Thompson]]/[[Dave O'Neal]]
|votes = 3,000,365
|votes = 3,000,365
|percentage = 64.68
|percentage = 64.68
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{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|party = Democratic Party (United States)
|candidate = [[Michael J. Howlett]]
|candidate = [[Michael J. Howlett]]/[[Neil F. Hartigan]]
|votes = 1,610,258
|votes = 1,610,258
|percentage = 34.71
|percentage = 34.71
Line 133: Line 206:
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Communist Party USA
|party = Communist Party USA
|candidate = Ishmael Flory
|candidate = Ishmael Flory/Linda R. Appelhans
|votes = 10,091
|votes = 10,091
|percentage = 0.22
|percentage = 0.22
Line 139: Line 212:
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Libertarian Party (US)
|party = Libertarian Party (United States)
|candidate = F. Joseph McCaffrey
|candidate = F. Joseph McCaffrey/Georgia E. Shields
|votes = 7,552
|votes = 7,552
|percentage = 0.16
|percentage = 0.16
Line 146: Line 219:
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Socialist Workers Party (US)
|party = Socialist Workers Party (United States)
|candidate = Suzanne Haig
|candidate = Suzanne Haig/Dennis Brasky
|votes = 4,926
|votes = 4,926
|percentage = 0.11
|percentage = 0.11
Line 154: Line 227:
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = Socialist Labor Party
|party = Socialist Labor Party
|candidate = George LaForest
|candidate = George LaForest/Stanley A. Prorok
|votes = 3,147
|votes = 3,147
|percentage = 0.07
|percentage = 0.07
Line 161: Line 234:
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = U.S. Labor Party
|party = U.S. Labor Party
|candidate = Edward Waffle
|candidate = Edward Waffle/Peter Matni
|votes = 2,302
|votes = 2,302
|percentage = 0.05
|percentage = 0.05
Line 167: Line 240:
}}
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link|
{{Election box candidate with party link|
|party = N/A
|party = Write-in
|candidate = write-ins
|candidate = Others
|votes = 369
|votes = 369
|percentage = 0.01
|percentage = 0.01
Line 179: Line 252:
}}
}}
{{Election box turnout|
{{Election box turnout|
|votes = 3,150,107
|votes = 4,639,010
|percentage =
|percentage =
|change =
|change =
}}
}}
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{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{ElectionsIL}}
{{United States elections, 1976}}
{{United States elections, 1976}}
{{Illinois elections}}


[[Category:Illinois gubernatorial elections|1976]]
[[Category:Illinois gubernatorial elections|1976]]

Latest revision as of 04:13, 15 December 2024

For related races, see 1976 United States gubernatorial elections.

1976 Illinois gubernatorial election
← 1972 November 2, 1976 1978 →
Turnout74.18% Decrease 1.1 pp
 
Nominee Jim Thompson Michael Howlett
Party Republican Democratic
Running mate Dave O'Neal Neil Hartigan
Popular vote 3,000,395 1,610,258
Percentage 64.68% 34.71%
County results

Thompson:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%

Howlett:      50–60%
Governor before election

Dan Walker
Democratic

Elected Governor

James R. Thompson
Republican

Elections in Illinois
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U.S. Senate elections
U.S. House elections
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Lieutenant Gubernatorial elections
Attorney General elections
Secretary of State elections
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Senate elections
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Chicago
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  • 2021

The 1976 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 2, 1976.[1] Incumbent first-term Democratic governor Dan Walker lost renomination to Illinois Secretary of State Michael Howlett, who was an ally of Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley. Howlett then lost the general election to Republican nominee James R. Thompson. This election was the first of seven consecutive Republican gubernatorial victories in Illinois, a streak not broken until the election of Democrat Rod Blagojevich in 2002. This election is the most recent time an Illinois gubernatorial election was held concurrently with a Presidential election.

Background

[edit]

This election was for a two-year term which would synchronize future gubernatorial elections with midterm election years, rather than presidential election years, as the 1970 Constitution of Illinois required gubernatorial elections to be held in midterm election years starting in 1978.[2] The previous election had been in 1972.

The primaries (held on March 16) and general election coincided with those for federal offices (United States President and House) and those for other state offices.[1] The election was part of the 1976 Illinois elections.

Turnout in the primaries saw 38.79% in the gubernatorial primaries, with a total of 2,231,910 votes cast, and 33.89% in the lieutenant gubernatorial primary, with 1,949,469 votes cast.[1] Turnout during the general election was 74.18%, with 4,639,010 votes cast.[1]

Democratic primary

[edit]

Governor

[edit]

The incumbent Governor, Dan Walker, had a contentious relationship with the Daley Machine, which backed Secretary of State Michael Howlett. Walker carried most of the state's counties, but Howlett carried Cook county by a wide margin and was ultimately nominated.

County map of the 1976 Illinois Democratic gubernatorial primary
Howlett:      50-60%      60-70%
Walker:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%.
1976 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Illinois[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Michael J. Howlett 811,721 53.82
Democratic Dan Walker (incumbent) 696,380 46.17
Write-in Others 245 0.02 n−a
Majority 115,341 7.65
Turnout 1,508,346

Lieutenant governor

[edit]

Incumbent Lieutenant Governor Neil Hartigan was renominated, defeating Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago commissioner Joanne H. Alter.

Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Neil F. Hartigan (incumbent) 857,910 66.29
Democratic Joanne H. Alter 436,322 33.71
Write-in Others 29 0.00
Total votes 1,294,232 100

Republican primary

[edit]

Governor

[edit]

Thompson won the Republican Primary in a landslide, carrying every county.

1976 Republican gubernatorial primary, Illinois[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James R. Thompson 625,457 86.44
Republican Richard H. Cooper 97,937 13.54
Republican write-ins 170 0.02 n−a
Majority 527,484 29.97
Turnout 723,564

Lieutenant governor

[edit]

Dave O'Neal won the Republican primary, defeating Joan G. Anderson.

Republican lieutenant gubernatorial primary[1]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David C. O'Neal 376,126 57.40
Republican Joan G. Anderson 279,087 42.59
Write-in Others 24 0.00
Total votes 655,237 100

General election

[edit]
Thompson joins President Gerald Ford on a whistle stop in Springfield
1976 gubernatorial election, Illinois[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican James R. Thompson/Dave O'Neal 3,000,365 64.68
Democratic Michael J. Howlett/Neil F. Hartigan 1,610,258 34.71
Communist Ishmael Flory/Linda R. Appelhans 10,091 0.22
Libertarian F. Joseph McCaffrey/Georgia E. Shields 7,552 0.16
Socialist Workers Suzanne Haig/Dennis Brasky 4,926 0.11
Socialist Labor George LaForest/Stanley A. Prorok 3,147 0.07
U.S. Labor Edward Waffle/Peter Matni 2,302 0.05
Write-in Others 369 0.01 n−a
Majority 1,390,137 29.97
Turnout 4,639,010
Republican gain from Democratic Swing

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i "OFFICIAL VOTE Cast at the GENERAL ELECTION NOVEMBER 2, 1976 JUDICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, MARCH, 16, 1976" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 14, 2021. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
  2. ^ w. "Illinois Constitution – Article V". Ilga.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
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