1956 Illinois gubernatorial election

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 and those for other state offices. The election was part of the 1956 Illinois elections.
In the primaries, 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

Republican primary

Candidates

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

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.