1998 Illinois gubernatorial election

Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Edgar did not run for a third term in office.

Republican nominee George Ryan, the Illinois Secretary of State, narrowly won the election against Democratic Congressman Glenn Poshard.

With this election Corinne Wood became the first female lieutenant governor of the state.

[1][2] For the general election, turnout was 49.72%, with 3,358,705 votes cast.

[1][2] Due to Poshard's more conservative social positions he carried the reliably Republican downstate, while Ryan's liberal social policies led him to carry the more Democratic Chicago area.

Gubernatorial primary results by county
Poshard
  • Poshard—30–40%
  • Poshard—40–50%
  • Poshard—50–60%
  • Poshard—60–70%
  • Poshard—70–80%
  • Poshard—80–90%
  • Poshard—90–100%
Burris
  • Burris—40–50%
Schmidt
  • Schmidt—30–40%
  • Schmidt—40–50%
  • Schmidt—50–60%
Lieutenant gubernatorial primary results by county
Kearns
  • 50–60%
  • 60–70%
  • 70–80%
  • 80–90%
Quinn
  • 50–60%