1876 Illinois gubernatorial election

1876 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1872 November 6, 1876 1880 →
 
Nominee Shelby Moore Cullom Lewis Steward
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 279,263 272,465
Percentage 50.58% 49.35%

County results
Cullom:      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Steward:      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%

Governor before election

John Lourie Beveridge
Republican

Elected Governor

Shelby Moore Cullom
Republican

The 1876 Illinois gubernatorial election was the sixteenth election for this office. Representative Shelby Moore Cullom narrowly defeated businessman Lewis Steward for the Governorship of Illinois. This was the narrowest victory for a Republican Governor since 1856, when William H. Bissell narrowly won the office in a plurality. Cullom's victory was the sixth consecutive victory for the Republican Party. Cullom also slightly overperformed Republican candidate Rutherford B. Hayes in the concurrent Presidential election.

Republican Andrew Shuman was elected Lieutenant Governor of Illinois. At this time in Illinois history, the Lieutenant Governor was elected on a separate ballot from the governor. This would remain so until the 1970 constitution.


Developed by StudentB