The 1996 United States Senate election in Illinois took place on November 5, 1996. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Paul Simon chose to retire, rather than seek a third term in office. In the Democratic primary, U.S. Representative Dick Durbin emerged victorious, while state representative Al Salvi won the Republican primary. Though the election was initially anticipated to be close, Durbin ended up defeating Salvi by a comfortable double-digit margin of victory, allowing him to win what would be the first of five terms in the Senate.
Background The primaries and general elections coincided with those for other federal offices (president and House), as well as those for state offices.
For the primaries, turnout was 25.85%, with 1,583,406 votes cast. For the general election, turnout was 63.79%, with 4,250,722 votes cast.
Democratic primary
Candidates Jalil Ahmad, real estate agent Dick Durbin, incumbent U.S. Representative from Illinois's 20th congressional district Ronald F. Gibbs, advisor to former Chicago Mayor Harold Washington Paul H. D. Park, member of Chicago's Economic Development Commission Pat Quinn, former Illinois State Treasurer
Declined Neil Hartigan, former Illinois Attorney General (1983–1991), former Lieutenant Governor of Illinois (1973–1977), and Democratic nominee for Governor in 1990 William M. Daley, attorney, political consultant, and member of the Daley family (endorsed Hartigan)
Results
Republican primary Candidates Al Salvi, incumbent State Representative Martin Paul Gallagher Wayne S. Kurzeja Bob Kustra, incumbent Lieutenant Governor of Illinois Robert Marshall, perennial candidate
Results
Libertarian primary Candidates David F. Hoscheidt, attorney from Bloomington Robin J. Miller, businessman from East Peoria, Illinois
Results
General election Results Durbin won the election easily.
See also 1996 United States Senate elections
References