1928 United States presidential election in Illinois explained

See main article: 1928 United States presidential election.

Election Name:1928 United States presidential election in Illinois
Country:Illinois
Flag Year:1915
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1924 United States presidential election in Illinois
Previous Year:1924
Next Election:1932 United States presidential election in Illinois
Next Year:1932
Votes For Election:All 29 Illinois votes to the Electoral College
Election Date:November 6, 1928
Image1:Herbert Hoover - NARA - 532049.jpg
Nominee1:Herbert Hoover
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Home State1:California
Running Mate1:Charles Curtis
Electoral Vote1:29
Popular Vote1:1,769,141
Percentage1:56.93%
Nominee2:Al Smith
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Home State2:New York
Running Mate2:Joseph Taylor Robinson
Electoral Vote2:0
Popular Vote2:1,313,817
Percentage2:42.28%
Map Size:350px
President
Before Election:Calvin Coolidge
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Herbert Hoover
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

Republican candidate Herbert Hoover won the state of Illinois in the 1928 United States presidential election, and would emerge victorious from the overall election. State voters chose 29 representatives, or electors, to the Electoral College, who voted for president and vice president.

A strongly Democratic state during the Second Party System, Illinois became Republican-leaning after the American Civil War due to a combination of strong Free Soil Party heritage amongst its Yankee northern counties with the wartime conversion of some Virginian-settled rock-ribbed Democratic Southern Illinois counties[1] to Unionist Republicanism[2] à la Appalachia.[3] Between the Civil War and World War I, partisanship in Illinois – like in the Border States – largely re-fought the war, with the result that although the Democratic Party gained at least 43 percent of the statewide vote via Southern and German Catholic support in every election up to 1900, they never gained an absolute majority and carried the state's electoral votes only in 1892.[4]

Due to the Democratic Party's growing Populist and prohibitionist leanings, a decline in Democratic support after 1900 in its German Central Illinois strongholds transformed Illinois into a powerfully Republican state at all levels.[5] Even Woodrow Wilson in 1912 when the GOP was mortally divided carried the state by only a very narrow margin, and in 1920 hostility to the League of Nations and the perceived anti-German bias of both outgoing President Wilson and new Democratic nominee and former Ohio Governor James M. Cox – the latter of whom had banned German-language instruction in Ohio schools[6] – meant Harding carried Illinois by over 42 percentage points and the state was his sixth strongest in a national landslide. Thirteen German Catholic or southern-settled counties went Republican for the first time.[7]

In 1924, Calvin Coolidge maintained Harding's dominance despite losing substantial German Catholic and Mississippi Valley industrial support to Progressive Wisconsin Senator Robert M. La Follette, whose family would endorse Catholic New York City Democrat Al Smith after the patriarch died in 1925.[8] Despite some predictions of upheaval during April[9] Hoover was easily nominated as the Republican candidate. Smith was nominated as the Democratic candidate. After the nominations were finalized, some critics felt Smith might have a chance of carrying electoral-vote-rich Illinois due to opposition to Hoover in the Farm Belt;[10] however by the end of June Hoover asserted that the farm vote was safe after Lowden's supporters decided to aid the GOP nominee.[11]

Hoover campaigned in Illinois after reports early in July[12] suggested the popularity of Smith's “wet” stand in Chicago made his win in this traditionally Republican state doubtful.[13] Smith did not visit the state during the summer, but relied on campaigning by members of the state Democratic ticket led by Thomas S. Donovan,[14] mainly in Chicago but also in the Metro East region.[15] During September, Donovan and the Democrats intensified their campaign in both liberal and anti-Prohibition Chicago and “dry” downstate Illinois.[16]

At the end of the summer, the state was confused and few trends were apparent in early polling, with Republicans in metropolitan Chicago quarreling bitterly.[17] However, by the end of September it was clear that religion was the paramount issue in the campaign and that it was driving Chicago toward Smith and the rest of the state toward Hoover (Smith was the first Catholic nominated by a major party for president).[18]

Despite earlier doubts,[13] [14] the earliest poll by Literary Digest showed Hoover carrying Illinois by a two-to-one majority;[19] however, increased registration in Cook County made the early Literary Digest polls seem dubious,[20] and Hoover was winning only by five-to-three in the next poll in the second week of October,[21] and only by twelve percentage points in the third week – at a time when Hoover was leading in 42 of 48 states.[22] As things turned out, this last poll proved accurate. Smith would give his final Chicago campaign speech on October 17.[23]

Primaries

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for House as well as those for state offices.[24]

Turnout

The total vote in the state-run primary elections (Democratic and Republican) was 1,228,537.[24]

The total vote in the general election was 3,107,489.[24] Both major parties held non-binding state-run preferential primaries on April 12.[24]

Democratic

Election Name:1928 Illinois Democratic presidential primary
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1924 Illinois Democratic presidential primary
Previous Year:1924
Next Election:1932 Illinois Democratic presidential primary
Next Year:1932
Type:presidential
Country:Illinois
Candidate1:Al Smith
Home State1:New York
Color1:F0DC82
Popular Vote1:44,212
Percentage1:91.11%
Candidate2:James A. Reed
Home State2:Missouri
Popular Vote2:3,786
Percentage2:7.80
Color2:A67B5B
Map Size:280px

The 1928 Illinois Democratic presidential primary was held on April 10, 1928 in the U.S. state of Illinois as one of the Democratic Party's state primaries ahead of the 1928 presidential election.

The popular vote was a non-binding "beauty contest". Delegates were instead elected by direct votes by congressional district on delegate candidates.[24]

Al Smith easily won the primary, and was virtually unopposed for the Democratic nomination, with most other prominent Democrats standing out as they felt they had no hope of winning the general election.[25]

1928 Illinois Democratic presidential primary! style="text-align:left;"
CandidateVotes%
Al Smith (write-in)44,21291.11
James A. Reed (write-in)3,7867.80
Thomas Walsh (write-in)2210.46
W.G. McAdoo (write-in)2130.44
E. T. Meredith (write-in)570.12
Henry T. Rainey (write-in)160.03
Scattering2040.42
Total48,525100

Republican

Election Name:1928 Illinois Republican presidential primary
Country:Illinois
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1924 Illinois Republican presidential primary
Previous Year:1924
Next Election:1932 Illinois Republican presidential primary
Next Year:1932
Candidate1:Frank Orren Lowden
Home State1:Illinois
Color1:a59400
Popular Vote1:345,498
Percentage1:99.50%
Map Size:100px

The 1928 Illinois Republican presidential primary was held on April 10, 1928 in the U.S. state of Illinois as one of the Republican Party's state primaries ahead of the 1928 presidential election.

The preference vote was a "beauty contest". Delegates were instead selected by direct-vote in each congressional districts on delegate candidates.[24]

The preference vote was won nearly unanimously by the only name on ballot, favorite son, Secretary of Commerce Frank Lowden.[24] [26]

1928 Illinois Republican presidential primary! style="text-align:left;"
CandidateVotes%
Frank Lowden1,172,27899.35
Herbert Hoover (write-in)4,3680.37
Calvin Coolidge (incumbent) (write-in)2,4200.21
Charles G. Dawes (write-in)7560.06
Scattering1900.02
Total1,180,012100

Results

Presidential CandidateRunning MatePartyElectoral Vote (EV)Popular Vote (PV)
Herbert HooverCharles CurtisRepublican291,769,14156.93%
Al SmithJoseph T. RobinsonDemocratic01,313,81742.28%
Norman ThomasJames MaurerSocialist019,1380.62%
William Z. FosterBenjamin GitlowWorkers Party America03,5810.12%
Verne L. ReynoldsJeremiah D. CrowleySocialist Labor01,8120.06%

Results by county

CountyHerbert Clark Hoover
Republican
Alfred Emmanuel Smith
Democratic
Normal Mattoon Thomas
Socialist
William Z. Foster
Workers’ Party America
Verne L. Reynolds
Socialist Labor
MarginTotal votes cast[27]
data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" %data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" %data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" %data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" %data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" %data-sort-type="number" data-sort-type="number" %
Adams15,59053.59%13,21545.42%2540.87%130.04%210.07%2,3758.16%29,093
Alexander5,66661.24%3,55838.46%210.23%40.04%30.03%2,10822.78%9,252
Bond4,16064.06%2,29835.39%300.46%10.02%50.08%1,86228.67%6,494
Boone5,96580.95%1,37118.60%300.41%10.01%20.03%4,59462.34%7,369
Brown2,28954.96%1,86744.83%60.14%10.02%20.05%42210.13%4,165
Bureau11,55763.73%6,48635.77%620.34%120.07%160.09%5,07127.97%18,133
Calhoun1,59450.16%1,55148.80%310.98%20.06%00.00%431.35%3,178
Carroll6,19776.34%1,87623.11%410.51%40.05%00.00%4,32153.23%8,118
Cass4,00953.50%3,46146.18%170.23%30.04%40.05%5487.31%7,494
Champaign19,49468.28%8,91531.23%1190.42%110.04%110.04%10,57937.05%28,550
Christian9,89656.77%7,34542.14%1350.77%370.21%180.10%2,55114.63%17,431
Clark5,63260.64%3,62138.99%260.28%60.06%30.03%2,01121.65%9,288
Clay4,52265.16%2,41834.84%00.00%00.00%00.00%2,10430.32%6,940
Clinton3,03130.77%6,77468.76%390.40%30.03%50.05%-3,743-37.99%9,852
Coles11,47969.12%5,07130.54%390.23%70.04%110.07%6,40838.59%16,607
Cook812,06352.73%716,28346.51%8,9710.58%2,1010.14%7530.05%95,7806.22%1,540,171
Crawford5,98962.90%3,49536.70%320.34%40.04%20.02%2,49426.19%9,522
Cumberland3,24263.04%1,87336.42%210.41%50.10%20.04%1,36926.62%5,143
DeKalb11,50174.19%3,94025.41%450.29%150.10%20.01%7,56148.77%15,503
DeWitt6,10069.40%2,63129.93%550.63%20.02%20.02%3,46939.47%8,790
Douglas4,89068.19%2,23931.22%400.56%20.03%00.00%2,65136.97%7,171
DuPage28,01672.37%10,47927.07%1810.47%130.03%230.06%17,53745.30%38,712
Edgar7,50958.27%5,32541.32%420.33%60.05%40.03%2,18416.95%12,886
Edwards2,86174.78%95024.83%140.37%10.03%00.00%1,91149.95%3,826
Effingham3,88247.26%4,23951.61%851.03%50.06%30.04%-357-4.35%8,214
Fayette6,54561.65%3,99837.66%570.54%60.06%100.09%2,54723.99%10,616
Ford4,66868.72%2,09830.88%260.38%10.01%00.00%2,57037.83%6,793
Franklin9,90045.79%11,36952.58%1610.74%1430.66%490.23%-1,469-6.79%21,622
Fulton10,60059.95%6,59137.28%4542.57%110.06%240.14%4,00922.68%17,680
Gallatin2,00245.78%2,34353.58%220.50%10.02%50.11%-341-7.80%4,373
Greene4,29951.05%4,07648.40%400.48%30.04%30.04%2232.65%8,421
Grundy5,12661.54%3,17438.11%230.28%20.02%40.05%1,95223.44%8,329
Hamilton3,27551.08%3,03747.36%751.17%200.31%50.08%2383.71%6,412
Hancock7,79558.65%5,44740.99%350.26%50.04%80.06%2,34817.67%13,290
Hardin1,75864.35%93334.15%281.02%30.11%100.37%82530.20%2,732
Henderson2,69571.11%1,06528.10%260.69%20.05%20.05%1,63043.01%3,790
Henry14,66670.83%5,85828.29%1670.81%70.03%90.04%8,80842.54%20,707
Iroquois8,45360.71%5,42138.94%380.27%40.03%70.05%3,03221.78%13,923
Jackson9,18060.79%5,83638.64%750.50%60.04%50.03%3,34422.14%15,102
Jasper3,20151.04%3,05548.71%140.22%20.03%00.00%1462.33%6,272
Jefferson7,32655.08%5,90544.40%620.47%40.03%40.03%1,42110.68%13,301
Jersey2,99354.62%2,47345.13%110.20%30.05%00.00%5209.49%5,480
Jo Daviess6,33361.59%3,85637.50%880.86%30.03%30.03%2,47724.09%10,283
Johnson2,89270.69%1,16328.43%300.73%40.10%20.05%1,72942.26%4,091
Kane38,23669.94%16,18429.60%2200.40%150.03%180.03%22,05240.33%54,673
Kankakee11,90553.44%10,24745.99%1200.54%30.01%40.02%1,6587.44%22,279
Kendall3,58975.53%1,15424.28%80.17%10.02%00.00%2,43551.24%4,752
Knox16,15172.33%5,99326.84%1730.77%30.01%100.04%10,15845.49%22,330
Lake26,81467.73%12,25230.95%3390.86%1500.38%320.08%14,56236.78%39,587
LaSalle24,03953.15%20,80746.00%3540.78%120.03%160.04%3,2327.15%45,228
Lawrence5,85160.16%3,80639.13%530.54%80.08%80.08%2,04521.03%9,726
Lee9,23867.14%4,47632.53%380.28%50.04%30.02%4,76234.61%13,760
Livingston11,16165.68%5,73733.76%840.49%20.01%80.05%5,42431.92%16,992
Logan7,63159.97%5,01939.44%600.47%100.08%50.04%2,61220.53%12,725
Macon24,49270.68%9,93228.66%1940.56%120.03%240.07%14,56042.02%34,654
Macoupin10,69947.68%11,29050.32%3501.56%810.36%180.08%-591-2.63%22,438
Madison28,02853.48%23,65845.14%5401.03%1190.23%610.12%4,3708.34%52,406
Marion9,11060.52%5,82338.69%850.56%100.07%240.16%3,28721.84%15,052
Marshall4,02958.69%2,82841.19%70.10%10.01%00.00%1,20117.49%6,865
Mason3,95654.78%3,24644.95%170.24%20.03%00.00%7109.83%7,221
Massac3,40572.87%1,24126.56%130.28%120.26%20.04%2,16446.31%4,673
McDonough8,95368.15%4,10431.24%690.53%40.03%80.06%4,84936.91%13,138
McHenry10,66165.33%5,59634.29%570.35%40.02%10.01%5,06531.04%16,319
McLean20,78065.37%10,74233.79%2400.75%110.03%160.05%10,03831.58%31,789
Menard3,24364.54%1,74234.67%340.68%60.12%00.00%1,50129.87%5,025
Mercer5,69970.59%2,31628.69%510.63%40.05%30.04%3,38341.91%8,073
Monroe2,72148.03%2,93451.79%80.14%20.04%00.00%-213-3.76%5,665
Montgomery8,99954.29%7,39244.60%1230.74%480.29%130.08%1,6079.70%16,575
Morgan10,19263.52%5,80536.18%310.19%80.05%100.06%4,38727.34%16,046
Moultrie3,31060.31%2,16839.50%90.16%10.02%00.00%1,14220.81%5,488
Ogle9,80876.53%2,96123.10%430.34%10.01%30.02%6,84753.43%12,816
Peoria31,02456.50%23,15042.16%6321.15%310.06%760.14%7,87414.34%54,913
Perry4,63647.47%5,02951.49%670.69%70.07%270.28%-393-4.02%9,766
Piatt4,56569.62%1,95929.88%230.35%30.05%70.11%2,60639.74%6,557
Pike6,70561.88%4,00836.99%1101.02%80.07%50.05%2,69724.89%10,836
Pope2,00474.06%67925.09%200.74%30.11%00.00%1,32548.97%2,706
Pulaski3,31965.18%1,72633.90%340.67%100.20%30.06%1,59331.28%5,092
Putnam1,38761.10%86938.28%110.48%20.09%10.04%51822.82%2,270
Randolph5,73947.46%6,25151.69%930.77%30.02%70.06%-512-4.23%12,093
Richland4,04261.03%2,55038.50%230.35%20.03%60.09%1,49222.53%6,623
Rock Island27,24665.22%14,33434.31%1320.32%450.11%190.05%12,91230.91%41,776
Saline7,52553.82%6,33745.32%870.62%170.12%170.12%1,1888.50%13,983
Sangamon31,95759.99%21,02639.47%1740.33%780.15%360.07%10,93120.52%53,271
Schuyler3,01154.00%2,54245.59%160.29%10.02%60.11%4698.41%5,576
Scott2,60159.96%1,73039.88%50.12%20.05%00.00%87120.08%4,338
Shelby7,21462.58%4,07135.31%2432.11%00.00%00.00%3,14327.26%11,528
St. Clair31,02645.60%36,37453.46%5060.74%760.11%550.08%-5,348-7.86%68,037
Stark2,96669.09%1,30630.42%190.44%20.05%00.00%1,66038.67%4,293
Stephenson11,99267.97%5,57931.62%620.35%30.02%70.04%6,41336.35%17,643
Tazewell9,40956.73%6,91041.66%2481.50%30.02%160.10%2,49915.07%16,586
Union3,35244.52%4,14955.10%240.32%40.05%10.01%-797-10.58%7,530
Vermilion21,61662.26%12,72836.66%2590.75%590.17%550.16%8,88825.60%34,717
Wabash2,37337.26%3,95562.10%330.52%50.08%30.05%-1,582-24.84%6,369
Warren7,91573.61%2,68124.93%1461.36%40.04%70.07%5,23448.67%10,753
Washington3,63855.90%2,84843.76%220.34%00.00%00.00%79012.14%6,508
Wayne5,18962.04%3,10837.16%570.68%50.06%50.06%2,08124.88%8,364
White4,17753.01%3,66646.53%280.36%50.06%30.04%5116.49%7,879
Whiteside13,58076.60%4,07923.01%610.34%20.01%60.03%9,50153.59%17,728
Will26,08155.02%20,87744.04%4130.87%180.04%160.03%5,20410.98%47,405
Williamson10,91351.21%10,13947.58%1660.78%620.29%290.14%7743.63%21,309
Winnebago33,25880.39%7,68418.57%2690.65%1210.29%400.10%25,57461.81%41,372
Woodford5,14060.30%3,31138.84%670.79%50.06%10.01%1,82921.46%8,524
Totals1,769,14156.93%1,313,81742.28%19,1380.62%3,5810.12%1,8120.06%455,32414.65%3,107,489

Analysis

Hoover carried Illinois by a 14-point margin, which was nonetheless a major decline upon the two preceding elections and the first time Illinois had voted more Democratic than the nation at large since Stephen A. Douglas in 1860. Smith did make major gains in heavily Catholic Chicago[28] – despite reservations from the city's large Polish-American population about his Irish and Tammany background[29] – but he failed to carry Cook County despite doubling Davis’ 1924 vote share. In the most heavily anti-Catholic areas – Scandinavian Rockford and Ozark Bible Belt-influenced Southern Illinois – the GOP vote held firm or rose and this was enough to ensure Smith had no chance of carrying the state.[28]

See also

Notes and References

  1. [Kevin Phillips (political commentator)|Phillips, Kevin P.]
  2. Wells, Damon; Stephen Douglas: The Last Years, 1857–1861, p. 285
  3. Copeland, James E.; ‘Where Were the Kentucky Unionists and Secessionists’; The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, volume 71, no. 4 (October, 1973), pp. 344-363
  4. Web site: Presidential General Election Results Comparison – Illinois. Dave Leip’s U.S. Election Atlas.
  5. [Elmer Eric Schattschneider|Schattschneider, Elmer Eric]
  6. Hough, Jerry F.; Changing Party Coalitions: The Mystery of the Red State-Blue State Alignment, pp. 86-87
  7. Menendez, Albert J.; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, 1868-2004, p. 52
  8. Menendez; The Geography of Presidential Elections in the United States, p. 59
  9. Dudle, Uncle; ‘The Lowden Revival’; Daily Boston Globe, April 17, 1928, p. 22
  10. ‘The Pivotal State’; The Washington Post, June 11, 1928
  11. ‘Hoover Will Have Aid of Lowden Men in His Campaign: Kansas City "Coalition" Chiefs Promise Their Support – Lowden Himself Silent’; The New York Times, July 1, 1982, p. 1
  12. ‘Hoover Drive Begun to Hold Illinois: Deneen Tells State Chiefs Democrats “Poison” Minds of Some Industrial Leaders’; The New York Times, July 10, 1928, p. 1
  13. ‘Celler Reports Smith Strong in Midwest: Representative Tells of Train Polls on His Trip Back From Houston’; The New York Times, July 8, 1928, p. 20
  14. ‘Illinois for Smith, Says State Chairman: Donovan Telegraphs Raskob That the Democratic Sentiment “Is a Revelation”’; The New York Times, August 2, 1928, p. 2
  15. ‘Plan Smith Campign Outside of Chicago: Hawes and Donowan Want Headquarters at St. Louis for Down-State Illinois’; The New York Times; August 16, 1928, p. 10
  16. ‘Democrat Attack Telling in Illinois: State Is Called Extremely Doubtful as Assaults Hit G.O.P. Strongholds’
  17. ‘Voters of Illinois Confused on Issues: No Definite Trend Yet Seen; G.O.P. in Bitter Quarrel in Chicago’; The Washington Post, September 2, 1928, p. M6
  18. Hennessy, M.E.; ‘Religion Tops Issues in Battle in Illinois: Chicago Strong for Smith Rest Is for Hoover. Mid-West Republican Bureau Lays Claim to That Whole Section’; Daily Boston Globe, September 27, 1928, p. 12
  19. ‘Hoover Lead Gains in Digest Poll’; The New York Times; October 5, 1928, p. 2
  20. Donegan, Arthur B.; ‘Illinois in Ferment in Big Finals Drives: Both Parties Impressed by Record Registration in Cook County. State Is Held in Doubt’; The Washington Post, October 7, 1928, p. M4
  21. ‘Hoover Keeps Lead on Digest Ballots: Poll of Forty States Gives Him 1,201,869, Against 688,829 for Governor Smith’; The New York Times, October 12, 1928, p. 22
  22. ‘Hoover Has 42 States in Poll: Four States Show Smith Majority and Two Considered Doubtful Total of 2,529,997 Returns’; The Wall Street Journal, October 19, 1928, p. 6
  23. Gableman, Edwin W.; ‘Smith Sees Victory in States Visited: Arrives in Chicago for His Final Speech of the Present Tour. Missouri Is Optimistic’; The Washington Post, October 18, 1928, p. 2
  24. Web site: OFFICIAL VOTE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS CAST AT THE GENERAL ELECTION, November 6, 1928 JUDICIAL ELECTIONS, 1927-1928 PRIMARY ELECTION GENERAL PRIMARY, April 10, 1928 PRESIDENTIAL PREFERENCE, APRIL 10, 1928. https://web.archive.org/web/20220201235017/https://www.elections.il.gov/DocDisplay.aspx?doc=Downloads/ElectionOperations/VoteTotals/Archived/1928/PE%20and%20GE%201928.pdf. dead. February 1, 2022. Illinois State Board of Elections. 5 August 2020.
  25. Warren, Kenneth F.; Encyclopedia of U.S. campaigns, elections, and electoral behavior: A-M, Volume 1, p. 620
  26. Groves, Charles; ‘Lowden Supporters Count Great Gain: Aided by Illinois Primary Victory and Farm Bill Claim 185 Delegates – Buck Silent on Story Dawes Will Get Them’; Daily Boston Globe, April 15, 1928, p. A8
  27. Our Campaigns; IL US President Race, November 06, 1928
  28. Phillips; The Emerging Republican Majority, p. 387
  29. Duncan-Clark, S.J.; ‘Uncertainties in Illinois Campaign: Republican Factionalism in Cook County Cause for Grave Misgivings. Democratic Ranks Broken: Fears of Tammany in the White House Loom Large Throughout the State’; The New York Times, September 23, 1928, p. E1