Walter S. Gurnee Democratic Charles McNeill Gray Democratic In the 1853 Chicago mayoral election, Charles McNeill Gray defeated Josiah L. James in a landslide, winning by a 54-point margin.

Incumbent mayor Walter S. Gurnee did not run for reelection.

The election was held on March 14.

[1] Josiah L. James was a businessman in the lumber industry.

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