[4] The Union-Fireproof ticket had been formed by a group of Chicago businessmen and civic leaders led by Carter Harrison III[5] It was a joint Democratic and Republican ticket, with different offices selected by the central committees of the county's Republican and Democratic committees.

[5] Medill was preoccupied with the task of running his Chicago Tribune newspaper business, particularly after its headquarters building had been lost in the fire.

[5] However, after several days of being pressured to accept the nomination, he agreed to run on the condition that the Illinois State Legislature would enact a new city charter for Chicago which gave more formal power to the mayor.

[5] In his speech accepting the nomination, he noted that he would likely resign as mayor if the legislature failed to pass such a charter.

[8] Holden had been supported for the ticket's nomination by the local Democratic Party, which at the time was very weakly organized.