1990 Illinois gubernatorial election


The Illinois gubernatorial election were held in November 1990. Republican candidate Jim Edgar won his first of two terms in office, defeating Democrat Neil Hartigan by a narrow margin of about 80,000 votes.

Election information

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for federal elections, as well as those for other state offices. The election was part of the 1990 Illinois elections.

Turnout

For the primaries, turnout for the gubernatorial primaries was 26.11%, with 1,570,596 votes cast and turnout for the lieutenant gubernatorial primaries was 21.67% with 1,303,250 votes cast. For the general election, turnout was 54.00%, with 3,257,410 votes cast.

Democratic primary

won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, running unopposed.

Governor

Lieutenant Governor

James B. Burns, attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, won the Democratic nomination, running unopposed.

Republican primary

Governor

Jim Edgar defeated investor and political activist Steve Baer, as well as perennial candidate Robert Marshall.

Lieutenant Governor

Illinois State Senator Bob Kustra won the Republican primary for lieutenant governor.

Solidarity primary

Only 13 votes were cast in the primary, all write in votes for Jeff W. Smith. The party, nevertheless, ultimately nominated Jessie Fields.

Governor

General election