The 1834 Illinois gubernatorial election was the fifth quadrennial election for this office. U.S. representative Joseph Duncan was elected by a majority of the voters. He defeated former lieutenant governor William Kinney and former state treasurer Robert K. McLaughlin.
Duncan was a member of the Democratic Party for most of his early career, but fell out with party leader and President Andrew Jackson during Jackson's first term. He did not announce his change in affiliation to the Whig Party publicly, allowing his votes against Jackson in Congress to relay the message, but news of Duncan's change in affiliation did not reach most Illinois voters and politicians until after the election, resulting in Duncan's nomination and election as a Democrat.
Duncan did not return to the state from Washington, D.C. until after the election. This was the only election of a Whig governor in Illinois history, albeit by accident on the part of voters.
General election
Candidates
James Adams, attorney and veteran of the Winnebago and Black Hawk wars (Democratic) Joseph Duncan, U.S. representative from Jacksonville (Whig-Democratic) William Kinney, former lieutenant governor and candidate for governor in 1830 (Democratic) Robert K. McLaughlin, former Illinois treasurer (Democratic)
Results
See also
1834 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election
Notes
References
See also Illinois state capitol referendum, 1834 Illinois Blue Book 1899