1872 Illinois gubernatorial election

1872 Illinois gubernatorial election

← 1868 November 5, 1872 1876 →
 
Nominee Richard J. Oglesby Gustavus Koerner
Party Republican Liberal Republican
Alliance Democratic
Popular vote 237,774 197,084
Percentage 54.41% 45.10%

County Results
Oglesby:      40-50%      50-60%      60-70%      70-80%      80-90%
Koerner:      50-60%      60-70%      80-90%

Governor before election

John M. Palmer
Republican

Elected Governor

Richard J. Oglesby
Republican

The 1872 Illinois gubernatorial election was the fifteenth election for this office. Republican nominee, Former Governor Richard J. Oglesby defeated the Democratic and Liberal Republican nominee Gustavus Koerner. B. G. Wright represented Independent Democrats unwilling to ally with Liberal Republicans. Oglesby had agreed to run for the Governorship but to resign upon being elected so that Lt. Governor John Lourie Beveridge could assume the office. Oglesby was in turn appointed to the U.S. Senate.

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.