2014 Illinois gubernatorial election explained

Election Name:	2014 Illinois gubernatorial election
Country:	Illinois
Type:	presidential
Ongoing:	no
Previous Election:	2010 Illinois gubernatorial election
Previous Year:	2010
Next Election:	2018 Illinois gubernatorial election
Next Year:	2018
Election Date:	November 4, 2014
Image1:	Bruce Rauner 2015.jpg
Nominee1:	Bruce Rauner
Running Mate1:	Evelyn Sanguinetti
Party1:	Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:	1,823,627
Percentage1:	50.27%
Nominee2:	Pat Quinn
Running Mate2:	Paul Vallas
Party2:	Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:	1,681,343
Percentage2:	46.35%
Governor
Before Election:	Pat Quinn
Before Party:	Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:	Bruce Rauner
After Party:	Republican Party (United States)
Turnout:	48.48% 1.21 pp

The 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election was held on November 4, 2014, to elect the governor and lieutenant governor of Illinois, concurrently with the election to Illinois's Class II U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Prior to this cycle, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor were nominated separately, and the primary winners ran on the same ticket in the general election. In 2011, the law was changed to allow candidates for governor to pick their own running mates. Incumbent Democratic Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon did not run for reelection, instead running unsuccessfully for comptroller. She was replaced as Quinn's running mate by Paul Vallas, a former CEO of Chicago Public Schools. Rauner chose Wheaton City councilwoman Evelyn Sanguinetti as his running mate and Grimm chose Alex Cummings.

Incumbent Democratic Governor Pat Quinn ran for re-election to a second full term in office. Quinn, then the lieutenant governor, assumed the office of governor on January 29, 2009, upon the impeachment and removal of Rod Blagojevich. He narrowly won a full term in 2010. Primary elections were held on March 18, 2014.^[1] Quinn won the Democratic primary, while the Republicans chose businessman Bruce Rauner and the Libertarians nominated political activist Chad Grimm.

Rauner defeated Quinn in the general election with 50.3% of the vote to Quinn's 46.4%, winning every county in the state except for Cook County, home to the city of Chicago and 40% of the state's residents.^{[2] [3]} Quinn was the only incumbent Democratic governor to lose a general election in 2014 and remained the last one to do so until Nevada's Steve Sisolak in 2022.

As of, this alongside the concurrent comptroller election is the only time since 2010 that Republicans won a statewide election in Illinois. It is also the last time a Republican has been elected governor of Illinois. This is the most recent and the last Illinois gubernatorial election in which the winner won a majority of Illinois's counties.

Election information

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for federal (House and Senate) and those for other state offices. The election was part of the 2014 Illinois elections.

Turnout

For the primary election, turnout was 16.88%, with 1,267,028 votes cast.^{[4] [5]} For the general election, turnout was 48.48%, with 3,627,690 votes cast.^{[6] [5]}

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

• Tio Hardiman, former director of CeaseFire^[7]
  • Running mate: Brunell Donald, attorney, author and motivational speaker.^[8]
• Pat Quinn, incumbent Governor of Illinois^[9]
  • Running mate: Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public Schools and candidate for governor in 2002^[10]

Withdrew

• William M. Daley, former White House Chief of Staff and former United States Secretary of Commerce^{[11] [12]}

Declined

• John Atkinson, businessman^[13]
• Tom Dart, Cook County Sheriff^[14]
• Alexi Giannoulias, former Illinois Treasurer and nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2010^[15]
• David H. Hoffman, member of the Illinois Reform Commission, former Chicago Inspector General and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2010^[14]
• Daniel Hynes, former Illinois Comptroller, candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004 and candidate for Governor in 2010^[14]
• Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General (running for re-election)^[16]
• Toni Preckwinkle, President of the Cook County Board of Commissioners^[17]
• Kwame Raoul, state senator^[18]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn	Tio Hardiman	Other	Undecided
Strive Strategies	March 9, 2014	563	± 4.21%	align=center	64%	36%	—	—

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn	Bill Daley	Lisa Madigan	Kwame Raoul	Other	Undecided
We Ask America	August 6, 2013	1,528	± ?	align=center	27%	23%	—	13%	—	align=center	37%
We Ask America	July 19, 2013	1,394	± ?	align=center	38%	33%	—	—	—	29%
We Ask America	June 13, 2013	1,322	± 2.8%	21%	22%	align=center	32%	—	—	25%
				37%	align=center	38%	—	—	—	25%
				33%	—	align=center	44%	—	—	23%
Paul Simon Institute	January 27–February 8, 2013	310	± 5.5%	22.9%	11.9%	align=center	31.9%	—	4.8%	28.4%
We Ask America	January 30, 2013	1,255	± 3%	20%	15%	align=center	37%	—	—	18%
				align=center	38%	33%	—	—	—	29%
				26%	—	align=center	51%	—	—	23%
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	319	± 5.5%	34%	align=center	37%	—	—	—	29%
				20%	—	align=center	64%	—	—	17%

Results

Republican primary

By early summer 2013, the field seeking the Republican nomination was set at four candidates.^[19] Two of them, State Senators Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard, had sought the nomination in 2010, with Brady edging out Dillard by 193 votes, but ultimately losing to Pat Quinn by less than 1 percent.^[20] Dan Rutherford, who was elected state treasurer in 2010 after serving as a State Representative and State Senator, formally entered the race on June 2.^[21]

Rauner had announced the formation of an exploratory committee in March^[22] and made his entry into the Republican field official on June 5.^[23] Despite longstanding rumors that Rauner was committed to spending $50 million on his campaign, he denied in an interview ever specifying a dollar figure.^[24]

By the date of the primary, Rauner had broken the previous record for self-funding in an Illinois gubernatorial race by putting more than $6 million of his own money into his campaign. In total, he raised more than $14 million before the primary election.^[25]

On March 18, 2014, Rauner won the Republican primary, collecting 40% of the vote, compared to 37% for State Senator Kirk Dillard.

Candidates

Declared

• Bill Brady, State Senator, candidate for Governor in 2006 and nominee for Governor in 2010^[26]
  • Running mate: Maria Rodriguez, former Village President of Long Grove^[27]
• Kirk Dillard, State Senator and candidate for Governor in 2010^[28]
  • Running mate: Jil Tracy, state representative^[29]
• Bruce Rauner, businessman and former Chairman of GTCR^[30]
  • Running mate: Evelyn Sanguinetti, Wheaton City Councilwoman^[31]
• Dan Rutherford, Illinois Treasurer^[32]
  • Running mate: Steve Kim, Attorney and nominee for Illinois Attorney General in 2010^[33]

Removed

• Peter Edward Jones (removed from the ballot)^{[34] [35]}
  • Running mate: None^[34]

Declined

• Adam Andrzejewski, businessman and candidate for Governor in 2010^[36]
• Dan Duffy, state senator^[37]
• Adam Kinzinger, U.S. Representative^[38]
• Ray LaHood, former United States Secretary of Transportation and former U.S. Representative^[39]
• Matt Murphy, state senator^[40]
• Dan Proft, talk radio personality and candidate for Governor in 2010^[41]
• Christine Radogno, Minority Leader of the Illinois Senate^[30]
• Aaron Schock, U.S. Representative^[42]
• Joe Walsh, conservative radio talk show host and former U.S. Representative^[43]

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	class=small	Margin of error	Adam Andrzejewski	Bill Brady	Kirk Dillard	Dan Proft	Bruce Rauner	Dan Rutherford	Aaron Schock	Joe Walsh	Other	Undecided
We Ask America	March 17, 2014	1,126	± 3%	—	19%	27%	—	align=center	44%	9%	—	—	—	—
Illinois Mirror/WAS	March 16, 2014	1,162	± 3%	—	15%	26%	—	align=center	32%	5%	—	—	—	21%
We Ask America	March 11, 2014	1,235	± 2.9%	—	19%	26%	—	align=center	46%	9%	—	—	—	—
Tribune/WGN-TV	March 1–5, 2014	600	± 4%	—	18%	23%	—	align=center	36%	9%	—	—	—	13%
We Ask America	March 4, 2014	1,262	± 2.85%	—	12%	14%	—	align=center	40%	8%	—	—	—	26%
We Ask America	February 25, 2014	1,178	± 3%	—	13%	17%	—	align=center	36%	7%	—	—	—	27%
McKeon & Assoc.*	February 18–19, 2014	831	± 3.6%	—	24%	13%	—	align=center	32%	3%	—	—	—	18%
We Ask America	February 18, 2014	1,323	± ?	—	14%	13%	—	align=center	35%	8%	—	—	—	30%
Tribune/WGN-TV	February 5–8, 2014	600	± 4%	—	20%	11%	—	align=center	40%	13%	—	—	—	15%
We Ask America	January 14, 2014	1,139	± 2.9%	—	17%	9%	—	align=center	34%	15%	—	—	—	25%
Ogden & Fry	January 2014	778	± 2.5%	—	8%	6%	—	align=center	18%	10%	—	—	—	align=center	58%
We Ask America	November 26, 2013	1,233	± 2.79%	—	18%	10%	—	align=center	26%	17%	—	—	—	align=center	29%
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	375	± 5.1%	—	17%	10%	—	align=center	24%	14%	—	—	—	align=center	36%
We Ask America	November 14, 2013	1,191	± 2.94%	—	align=center	25%	14%	—	11%	18%	—	—	—	align=center	32%
Battleground Polling	November 3–11, 2013	535	± 3.97%	—	13%	12%	—	12%	align=center	18%	—	—	—	align=center	45%
We Ask America	August 13, 2013	1,102	± ?	—	align=center	21%	10%	—	14%	17%	—	—	—	align=center	32%
We Ask America	June 20, 2013	1,310	± 2.8%	—	18%	11%	—	12%	align=center	22%	—	—	—	align=center	38%
Battleground Polling	May 20–27, 2013	400	± 4.8%	—	19%	14%	13%	5%	align=center	27%	—	—	22%	—
Paul Simon Institute	January 27–February 8, 2013	186	± 7.2%	2%	10%	3%	2%	—	align=center	10%	9%	6%	5%	align=center	53%
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	303	± 5.6%	—	14%	12%	—	7%	align=center	19%	18%	8%	7%	15%

• * Internal poll for Bill Brady campaign

Results

Third party and Independents

Candidates

Declared

• Chad Grimm (Libertarian), political activist, candidate for the State House in 2012 and candidate for the Peoria City Council in 2013^[44]
  • Running mate: Alex Cummings

Removed from ballot

• Mike Oberline (Constitution)^{[45] [46]}
  • Running mate: Don Stone
• Scott Summers (Green)^{[45] [46]}
  • Running mate: Bob Pritchett, Jr.

Declined

• Sam McCann (Independent), Republican State Senator^{[47] [48]}

General election

Debates

• Complete video of debate, October 9, 2014 - C-SPAN
• Complete video of debate, October 20, 2014 - C-SPAN

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
align=left	The Cook Political Report^[49]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Sabato's Crystal Ball^[50]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Rothenberg Political Report^[51]		November 3, 2014
align=left	Real Clear Politics^[52]		November 3, 2014

Polling

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn (D)	Bruce Rauner (R)	Chad Grimm (L)	Other	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 1–2, 2014	1,064	± 3%	align=center	47%	45%	3%	—	5%
				48%	48%	—	—	4%
McKeon & Associates	October 28, 2014	823	± 3.9%	align=center	45%	42%	4%	—	9%
We Ask America	October 27–28, 2014	2,327	± 3%	align=center	50%	45%	6%	—	—
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	October 16–23, 2014	3,519	± 3%	align=center	45%	41%	—	1%	13%
Rasmussen Reports	October 20–22, 2014	1,000	± 3%	47%	align=center	48%	—	2%	4%
APC Research	October 16–21, 2014	800	± 3.5%	43%	align=center	45%	4%	—	7%
Southern Illinois University	September 23 – October 15, 2014	1,006 RV	± 3%	align=center	41%	39%	5%	1%	15%
		691 LV	± 3.7%	41%	align=center	42%	3%	1%	13%
We Ask America	October 8, 2014	1,051	± 3.02%	align=center	44%	41%	7%	—	8%
University of Illinois Springfield	October 2–8, 2014	723	± 3.7%	41%	align=center	43%	—	2%	14%
We Ask America	October 6, 2014	1,097	± 3%	align=center	44%	40%	6%	—	11%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	September 20 – October 1, 2014	3,955	± 2%	align=center	46%	43%	—	1%	10%
Communication Express	September 30, 2014	1,208	± 2.87%	37%	align=center	43%	5%	—	16%
Fabrizio Lee	September 27–29, 2014	600	± 4%	align=center	41%	39%	5%	—	15%
Rasmussen Reports	September 24–25, 2014	750	± 4%	align=center	44%	42%	—	6%	8%
Battleground Polling	September 23–24, 2014	408	± 4.8%	43%	43%	6%	—	8%
We Ask America	September 18–19, 2014	1,418	± 3%	41%	align=center	44%	6%	—	9%
Global Strategy Group	September 4–7, 2014	605	± 4%	align=center	43%	40%	5%	—	12%
APC Research	September 3–5, 2014	800	± 3.5%	align=center	48%	37%	5%	—	10%
We Ask America	September 2, 2014	1,064	± 3%	37%	align=center	46%	7%	—	10%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	August 18 – September 2, 2014	4,363	± 3%	40%	align=center	44%	—	2%	13%
Garin Hart Yang Research Group*	August 12–14, 2014	802	± 3.5%	43%	align=center	46%	—	—	11%
We Ask America	August 5–6, 2014	1,085	± 3.12%	38%	align=center	51%	—	—	11%
Gravis Marketing	August 4–5, 2014	567	± 4%	40%	align=center	48%	—	—	12%
Rasmussen Reports	July 29–30, 2014	750	± 4%	39%	align=center	44%	—	7%	10%
We Ask America	July 28, 2014	1,087	± 2.97%	33%	align=center	47%	—	—	20%
Mellman Group^	July 27–29, 2014	600	± 5%	38%	align=center	39%	—	—	23%
Harstad Strategic Research	July 17–22, 2014	1,003	± 3.1%	42%	align=center	46%	—	3%	8%
CBS News/NYT/YouGov	July 5–24, 2014	5,298	± 2.1%	43%	align=center	46%	—	2%	8%
McKeon & Associates	July 9–10, 2014	800	± 3.9%	34%	align=center	40%	—	—	26%
Capitol Fax/We Ask America	July 8, 2014	940	± 3.2%	39%	align=center	51%	—	—	10%
We Ask America	June 10–11, 2014	1,075	± 3%	37%	align=center	47%	—	—	16%
Where America Stands	May 12, 2014	1,168	± 3%	31%	align=center	49%	1%	3%^[53]	16%
We Ask America^[54]	April 27, 2014	?	± 3.14%	44%	44%	—	—	12%
We Ask America^[55]	April 21, 2014	?	± 3.21%	38%	align=center	49%	—	—	13%
Rasmussen Reports	April 9–10, 2014	750	± 4%	40%	align=center	43%	—	6%	10%
Where America Stands	March 27, 2014	1,033	± 3%	32%	align=center	46%	1%	2%^[56]	19%
Gravis Marketing	March 21–22, 2014	806	± 3%	35%	align=center	43%	—	—	22%
We Ask America	January 30, 2014	1,354	± 2.7%	39%	align=center	47%	—	—	14%
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	align=center	41%	38%	—	—	21%

With Quinn

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn (D)	Bill Brady (R)	Undecided
We Ask America	January 30, 2014	1,354	± 2.7%	39%	align=center	48%	13%
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	41%	41%	18%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn (D)	Kirk Dillard (R)	Undecided
We Ask America	January 30, 2014	1,354	± 2.7%	37%	align=center	46%	17%
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	39%	39%	21%
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	37%	align=center	44%	19%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn (D)	Dan Rutherford (R)	Undecided
We Ask America	January 30, 2014	1,354	± 2.7%	37%	align=center	46%	17%
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	39%	align=center	41%	20%
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	39%	align=center	43%	18%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Pat Quinn (D)	Aaron Schock (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	align=center	40%	39%	21%

With Daley

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Daley (D)	Kirk Dillard (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	34%	align=center	36%	30%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Daley (D)	Dan Rutherford (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	37%	align=center	38%	25%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Bill Daley (D)	Aaron Schock (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	align=center	40%	35%	25%

With Emanuel

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Rahm Emanuel (D)	Dan Rutherford (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	align=center	40%	38%	22%

With Hynes

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Daniel Hynes (D)	Dan Rutherford (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	34%	34%	32%

With Madigan

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Lisa Madigan (D)	Kirk Dillard (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	align=center	46%	37%	17%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Lisa Madigan (D)	Dan Rutherford (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 22–25, 2013	557	± 4.2%	align=center	45%	40%	15%
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	align=center	46%	37%	18%

Poll source	Date(s) administered	class=small	Sample size	Margin of error	Lisa Madigan (D)	Aaron Schock (R)	Undecided
Public Policy Polling	November 26–28, 2012	500	± 4.4%	align=center	46%	38%	17%

• * Internal Poll for Dick Durbin campaign
• ^ Internal Poll for Pat Quinn campaign

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Alexander (largest city: Cairo)
• Jackson (largest city: Carbondale)
• St. Clair (largest city: Belleville)

See also

• 2014 Illinois elections
• 2014 United States Senate election in Illinois
• 2014 United States gubernatorial elections
• 2014 United States elections

External links

• • Illinois gubernatorial election, 2014 at Ballotpedia
• Pat Quinn for Governor
• Bruce Rauner for Governor

Notes and References

1. Web site: Illinois State Board of Elections . Elections.illinois.gov . 2015-01-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150331040020/http://www.elections.illinois.gov/ . 2015-03-31 . dead .
2. Web site: Pat Quinn Concedes Illinois Gubernatorial Race to Bruce Rauner. Huffington Post. November 5, 2014. November 6, 2014.
3. Newman, James (November 5, 2014) - "Quinn/Rauner a Squeaker? Durbin/Oberweis a Cakewalk? Think Again" - NIU Today. Northern Illinois University. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
4. Web site: Voter Turnout . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 22 March 2020 .
5. Web site: Election Results . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 23 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200222093629/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx . 22 February 2020 . dead .
6. Web site: Voter Turnout . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 22 March 2020 .
7. Web site: Tio Hardiman, Ex-CeaseFire Director, Announces He'll Seek Democratic Nomination For Illinois Governor. August 18, 2013. August 19, 2013. The Huffington Post.
8. http://www.elections.state.il.us/ElectionInformation/CandDetail.aspx?CandidateID=18898&ElectionID=41 Candidate Detail
9. Web site: Quinn Running Again Because "I Think I'm Doing A Good Job". NBC Chicago. November 29, 2012. November 24, 2013.
10. News: Burnett. Sara. Quinn picks Paul Vallas as 2014 running mate. Pantagraph. Associated Press. 8 November 2013.
11. Web site: Bill Daley jumps '100 percent' in Illinois governor race. https://archive.today/20130620014405/http://voices.suntimes.com/early-and-often/politics/bill-daley-jumping-in-illinois-governor-race-with-we-cant-wait-slogan/. dead. June 20, 2013. June 10, 2013. June 10, 2013. Sun Times Chicago.
12. News: Bill Daley drops bid for governor . Chicago Tribune . September 16, 2013. September 16, 2013.
13. Web site: Bill Daley for governor? He doesn't want to talk about it. December 12, 2012. December 13, 2012. Capitol Fax. Rich. Miller.
14. Web site: Brown: Lisa Madigan's exit opens the door for ... who?. July 16, 2013. August 5, 2013. Chicago Sun-times. Mark. Brown.
15. Web site: Could another Democrat emerge?. September 18, 2013. September 18, 2013. Capitol Fax. Rich. Miller.
16. Web site: Lisa Madigan takes pass on governor's race. July 15, 2013. July 16, 2013. Chicago Tribune.
17. Web site: Toni Preckwinkle says 'no' to possible run for governor in 2014. October 17, 2012. October 21, 2012. Chicago Sun-Times. Natasha. Korecki.
18. Web site: Democratic Sen. Kwame Raoul won't run for Illinois governor. August 29, 2013. August 31, 2013. Chicago Tribune.
19. Web site: Republican governor candidates . Reboot Illinois . March 14, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314210406/http://politics.rebootillinois.com/election-scorecard/illinois-gubernatorial-republican-primary/ . March 14, 2014 . dead . mdy-all .
20. Web site: 2010 Gubernatorial General Election Results. U.S. Elections Atlas. March 14, 2014.
21. Web site: Dan Rutherford jumps into governor's race. Geiger. Kim. Chicago Tribune. June 3, 2013 . March 14, 2014.
22. Web site: Rauner announces "exploratory committee". Capitol Fax. March 5, 2013 . March 14, 2014.
23. Web site: Rauner officially enters GOP race for governor. Garcia. Monique. Secter. Bob. Chicago Tribune. June 6, 2013 . March 14, 2014.
24. Web site: RAUNER Q&A: ONLY AN OUTSIDER CAN FIX ILLINOIS' MANY PROBLEMS; I'M THE ONE TO DO IT. https://web.archive.org/web/20140314221451/http://politics.rebootillinois.com/2013/06/06/uncategorized/mattdietrich/rauner-q-im-one/1867/. dead. March 14, 2014. Dietrich. Matt. Reboot Illinois. June 6, 2013. March 14, 2014.
25. Web site: Rauner's $6 million sets record in Illinois governor race. Pearson. Rick. Chicago Tribune. March 6, 2014 . March 14, 2014.
26. Web site: Brady to launch bid for governor on Wednesday. June 25, 2013. June 26, 2013. Pantagraph.
27. Web site: Bill Brady Picks Maria Rodriguez As Running-Mate. 2013-09-17. 2013-09-24. CBS Chicago.
28. Web site: Sen. Dillard Confirms Run for Governor. November 8, 2012. November 10, 2012. NBC Chicago. BJ. Lutz.
29. Web site: Dillard officially picks State Rep. Jil Tracy as 2014 running mate. 2013-09-03. 2013-09-24.
30. Web site: Republican 2014 governor hopefuls jockey in Tampa. August 28, 2012. October 21, 2012. Chicago Tribune. Rick. Pearson.
31. Web site: Gov candidate Bruce Rauner announces Evelyn Sanguinetti as running mate. October 8, 2013. October 19, 2013. ABC 7 Chicago. Charles. Thomas. https://web.archive.org/web/20131020105944/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=9279300. October 20, 2013. dead.
32. Web site: State Treasurer Dan Rutherford to announce run for governor. May 30, 2013. May 31, 2013. Chicago Sun-Times. Neil. Steinberg.
33. Web site: GOP gov hopeful Dan Rutherford taps Steve Kim as running mate. 2013-09-02. 2013-09-24. Chicago Sun-Times. Lauren. Fitzpatrick.
34. News: Unknown Republicans File for Illinois Governor, US Senate, Legislature. December 3, 2013. Illinois Observer. December 4, 2013.
35. News: Republican Candidate For Governor Kicked Off The Ballot. January 10, 2014. WUIS 919. February 10, 2014.
36. Web site: Former gubernatorial candidate Andrzejewski staying out of 2014 campaign. March 20, 2013. October 19, 2013. Herald & Review. Kurt. Erickson.
37. Web site: Dan Duffy Endorses Bruce Rauner for Governor. October 16, 2013. October 19, 2013. McHenry County Blog. Cal. Skinner.
38. Web site: Word on the Street: Adam Kinzinger for governor? It could make sense. September 1, 2012. November 25, 2012. PJStar.com.
39. News: Ray LaHood rules out running for office after Cabinet term. Chicago Tribune . Katherine . Skiba .
40. Web site: Suburban Republicans for governor in 2014?. August 17, 2012. October 21, 2012. The Daily Herald. Mike. Riopell.
41. Web site: Dan Proft Nixes Run for Illinois Governor in 2014. August 28, 2013. October 19, 2013. 89 WLS. Bill. Cameron. https://web.archive.org/web/20131020135836/http://www.wlsam.com/common/page.php?pt=Dan+Proft+Nixes+Run+for+Illinois+Governor+in+2014&id=63563. October 20, 2013. dead. mdy-all.
42. News: Schock won't seek GOP nod for Illinois governor. Chicago Tribune . Rick . Pearson . April 26, 2013 . April 26, 2013 .
43. Web site: Joe Walsh, Governor? Defeated Illinois Congressman Mulls His Next Steps. November 8, 2012. November 16, 2012. The Huffington Post.
44. Web site: Chad Grimm . 14 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131020100109/http://www.lp.org/candidates/liberty-candidates-14/chad-grimm . 20 October 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
45. Web site: Green Party Candidates Seek Place on November Ballot . Vinicky . Amanda . Meisel . Hannah . 27 March 2014 . wuis.org . 14 August 2014.
46. http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/22/4303510/illinois-november-ballot-set-without.html Rauner Dealt Double Blows Over Illinois Ballot
47. Web site: STATE SENATOR SAM MCCANN CONSIDERING A THIRD PARTY RUN FOR ILLINOIS GOVERNOR . Illinois Review . June 6, 2014 . July 22, 2014.
48. Web site: McCann out before he's in governor's race . The State Journal-Register . Bernard Schoenburg . June 10, 2014 . July 22, 2014.
49. Web site: 2014 Governor Race Ratings for November 3, 2014 . The Cook Political Report . September 3, 2018.
50. Web site: The Crystal Ball's Final 2014 Picks . Sabato's Crystal Ball . 3 November 2014 . September 3, 2018.
51. Web site: 2014 Gubernatorial Ratings . Senate Ratings . The Rothenberg Political Report . September 3, 2018.
52. Web site: 2014 Elections Map - 2014 Governors Races . Real Clear Politics . September 3, 2018.
53. Mike Oberline (C) 2%, Scott Summers (G) 1%
54. Poll identified candidate's party
55. Poll did not identify candidate's party
56. "Green Party candidate"