1972 Illinois gubernatorial election


The Illinois gubernatorial election of 1972 was held in Illinois on November 7, 1972. The Republican nominee, incumbent Governor Richard B. Ogilvie lost reelection to the Democratic candidate, Dan Walker, who became the state's last Democratic governor of the 20th century.

Election information

This was the first gubernatorial elections in which gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial candidates were elected on a ticket in the general election, per the 1970 Constitution of Illinois.
The election coincided with those for federal offices and those for other state offices. The election was part of the 1972 Illinois elections. Walker was the last Democrat to be elected governor of Illinois until Rod Blagojevich in 2002.
The primaries were held on March 21, 1972.

Turnout

Turnout in the primaries saw 36.09% in the gubernatorial primaries, with a total of 2,015,694 votes cast, and 30.46% in the lieutenant gubernatorial primary, with 1,701,418 votes cast.
Turnout during the general election was 75.28%, with 4,679,043 votes cast.

Democratic primaries

Governor

In an upset, Dan Walker won a close primary against then-Lt. Governor Paul Simon. Paul Simon had been the candidate slated by the state party.

Lieutenant Governor

, the candidate slated by the state party, defeated Carbondale mayor Neal Eckert, Walker's declared preferred running-mate.

Republican primary

Governor

Ogilvie won renomination easily. His main rival, John M. Mathis was a favorite son of the Peoria area, and fared poorly elsewhere.

Lieutenant Governor

James D. Nowlan won the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor, running unopposed.

General election