The 1888 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 6, 1888. Republican Joseph W. Fifer defeated Democratic nominee John M. Palmer with 49.15 percent of the vote. This was the ninth consecutive victory for the Republican Party since 1856.
Republican nomination Candidates Clark E. Carr, candidate for governor in 1880 James A. Connolly, former state representative and U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Joseph W. Fifer, former state senator from Bloomington John McNulta, former U.S. representative from Bloomington Richard J. Oglesby, incumbent governor of Illinois (not formally nominated) John I. Rinaker, chairman of the Illinois board of railroad and warehouse commissioners John C. Smith, incumbent lieutenant governor of Illinois Francis Marion Wright, Urbana attorney
Results The Republican state convention was held on May 2, 1888, at Springfield. The results of the balloting were as follows:
1888 Republican Illinois conventionBallot1st 2nd 3rd 4thJoseph W. Fifer 288349398606John McNulta136133144111Clark E. Carr115110979James A. Connolly100968958John I. Rinaker98776232John C. Smith58453617Francis M. Wright48332114Richard J. Oglesby4400
Fifer's nomination was then made unanimous. Democratic nomination Candidates John M. Palmer, former Republican governor of Illinois William A. J. Sparks, former commissioner of the U.S. General Land Office Adlai Stevenson I, first assistant United States postmaster general Murray F. Tuley, judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County and former Chicago alderman
Results The Democratic state convention was held on May 23, 1888, at Springfield.
Palmer's nomination was then made unanimous.
General election Candidates Joseph W. Fifer, former state senator from Bloomington (Republican) David H. Harts, nominee for U.S. representative in 1882 (Prohibition) Willis W. Jones (Union Labor) John M. Palmer, former Republican governor of Illinois (Democratic)
Results
See also
1888 Illinois lieutenant gubernatorial election
References
Notes
Bibliography