1888 Illinois gubernatorial election

The 1888 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1888.

Republican nominee Joseph W. Fifer defeated Democratic nominee John M. Palmer with 49.15% of the vote.

Candidates

 * John M. Palmer, former Governor
 * William A. J. Sparks, former U.S. Land Office Commissioner
 * Adlai Stevenson I, First Assistant United States Postmaster General
 * Murray F. Tuley, judge

Results
The Democratic state convention was held on May 23, 1888, at Springfield.

Palmer's nomination was then made unanimous.

Candidates

 * Clark E. Carr, unsuccessful candidate for Republican nomination for Governor in 1880
 * James A. Connolly former State Representative, former United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois
 * Joseph W. Fifer, former State Senator
 * John McNulta, former U.S. Congressman for Illinois's 13th congressional district
 * Richard J. Oglesby, incumbent Governor (not formally nominated)
 * John Irving Rinaker, chairman of the Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners of Illinois
 * John C. Smith, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
 * Francis M. Wright

Results
The Republican state convention was held on May 2, 1888, at Springfield.

The results of the balloting were as follows:

Fifer's nomination was then made unanimous.

Candidates

 * John M. Palmer, Democratic
 * Joseph W. Fifer, Republican
 * David H. Harts, Prohibition, Prohibition nominee for Illinois's 14th congressional district in 1882
 * Willis W. Jones, Union Labor