# 1956 Illinois gubernatorial election

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vte :
The 1956 Illinois gubernatorial election was held in Illinois on November 6, 1956. Incumbent Governor William Stratton, a Republican, narrowly won reelection to a second term. Stratton's narrow victory came despite the fact that the Republican ticket of Dwight D. Eisenhower and Richard Nixon carried the state of Illinois in a landslide in the presidential election.

## Background

The primaries and general election both coincided with those for federal offices (United States President, House, and United States Senate) and those for other state offices. The election was part of the 1956 Illinois elections.
In the primaries (held on April 10, 1960), turnout was 32.56%, with a total of 1,620,871 votes cast.
In the general election, turnout was 82.69%, with a total of 4,314,611 ballots cast.

## Democratic primary
### Candidates
#### Ran

* Herbert C. Paschen, Cook County treasurer and 1952 lieutenant gubernatorial nominee
* Morris B. Sachs, Chicago treasurer

#### Declined to run

* Stephen A. Mitchell, former chair of the Democratic National Committee and candidate for 1960 gubernatorial nomination
* Sargent Shriver, president of the Chicago Board of Education

### Results

Democratic primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Herbert C. Paschen | 475,813 | 57.80 |
| | Democratic | Morris B. Sachs | 347,458 | 42.20 |
| | Write-in | Others | 10 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 823,281 | 100 |

## Republican primary
### Candidates

* Lawrence Joseph Sarsfield Daly, perennial candidate
* William Stratton, incumbent governor
* Sidney McKee Ward
* Anthony A. Polley
* Warren Wright, Illinois treasurer

### Results

Republican primary :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William G. Stratton (incumbent) | 556,909 | 69.82 |
| | Republican | Warren E. Wright | 187,645 | 23.53 |
| | Republican | Lar "America First" Daly | 24,808 | 3.11 |
| | Republican | Sidney McKee Ward | 15,979 | 2.00 |
| | Republican | Anthony A. Polley | 12,217 | 1.53 |
| | Write-in | Others | 32 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 797,590 | 100 |

## General election

Democratic nominee Herbert C. Paschen became embroiled in scandal related to his tenure as Cook County Treasurer. Paschen withdrew as the nominee, and was replaced by Richard B. Austin.
Gubernatorial election :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William G. Stratton (incumbent) | 2,171,786 | 50.34 |
| | Democratic | Richard B. Austin | 2,134,909 | 49.48 |
| | Socialist Labor | Edward C. Cross | 7,874 | 0.18 |
| | Write-in | Others | 42 | 0.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,314,611 | 100 |