1912 Illinois gubernatorial election

The 1912 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 1912. Incumbent second-term Republican governor Charles S. Deneen was defeated by Democratic nominee, former mayor of Chicago Edward Fitzsimmons Dunne.

Dunne was the first Democratic Governor of Illinois elected since 1892 and only the second since 1852. As of 2024 this is the first and only time that a former mayor of Chicago (Illinois’ largest city) was elected governor of Illinois.

Primary elections
Primary elections were held on April 9, 1912.

Candidates

 * Samuel Alschuler, former State Representative
 * Ben F. Caldwell, former U.S. Representative for the 21st district
 * George E. Dickson
 * Edward F. Dunne, former mayor of Chicago

Candidates

 * John J. Brown, former member of the Illinois House of Representatives
 * Charles S. Deneen, incumbent Governor
 * Charles F. Hurburgh, State Senator
 * Walter C. Jones, State Senator
 * J. McCan Davis, Clerk of the Supreme Court of Illinois
 * Len Small, former treasurer
 * John E. W. Wayman, Cook County State's attorney
 * Richard Yates Jr., former governor

Candidates

 * Edwin R. Worrell, Presbyterian minister

Candidates

 * John C. Kennedy, alderman for the 27th ward

Candidates

 * Charles S. Deneen, Republican
 * Edward F. Dunne, Democratic
 * John M. Francis, Socialist Labor, perennial candidate
 * Frank H. Funk, Progressives for S.J., former State Senator
 * John C. Kennedy, Socialist
 * Edwin R. Worrell, Prohibition