Illinois gubernatorial election, 1972

Illinois gubernatorial election, 1972

November 7, 1972

Nominee Dan Walker Richard B. Ogilvie Party Democratic Republican Running mate Neil Hartigan James D. Nowlan Popular vote 2,371,303 2,293,809 Percentage 50.68 49.02

Governor before election Richard B. Ogilvie Republican Elected Governor Dan Walker Democratic

A Gubernatorial election was held in Illinois in November 1972. Incumbent Republican Governor Richard B. Ogilvie lost reelection to Democrat Dan Walker

Results

1972 gubernatorial election, Illinois

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Dan Walker	2,372,313	50.68	+2.31
	Republican	Richard B. Ogilvie (incumbent)	2,293,809	49.02	-2.19
	Socialist Labor	George LaForest	7,966	0.17	-0.26
	Communist	Ishmael Flory	4,592	0.10	N/A
	N/A	write-ins	1,373	0.03	N/A
Majority			77,494	1.66	-1.18
Turnout			4,679,043
	Democratic gain from Republican		Swing

Democratic Primary

The Primary was held on March 21, 1972. In an upset, Dan Walker won a close primary against then-Lt. Governor Paul Simon.

1972 Democratic gubernatorial primary, Illinois

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Dan Walker	735,193	51.41	N/A
	Democratic	Paul Simon	694,900	48.59	N/A
Majority			40,923	2.82
Turnout			1,430,093

Republican Primary

The Republican primary was also held on March 21. Ogilvie won renomination easily. His main rival, John M. Mathis was a favorite son of the Peoria area, and fared poorly elsewhere.

1972 Republican gubernatorial primary, Illinois

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Richard B. Ogilvie	442,323	75.54	N/A
	Republican	John M. Mathis	143,053	24.43	N/A
	Republican	write-ins	201	0.03	N/A
Majority			299,270	51.11
Turnout			585,577