How a businessman swept nearly every county in the 2014 Illinois election
In short: In 2014, Republican Bruce Rauner achieved a rare political feat, winning almost every county in Illinois. His victory upended the state's political landscape, marking the only time since 1998 that a Republican captured the governor's mansion through such a widespread geographic sweep.
The 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election, held on November 4, 2014, was defined by a significant shift in the state's political geography. Securing 50.3% against Quinn's 46.4%, entrepreneur Bruce Rauner overcame the sitting Democrat. Rauner's victory was notable for its breadth; he won every single county in the state except for Cook County, which houses Chicago and roughly 40% of the state's population. This performance made him only the second Republican governor to win all but one county in Illinois, a feat previously achieved by Jim Edgar in 1994.
The race featured a changing landscape for candidates. Following a 2011 law change, gubernatorial candidates could select their own running mates rather than running on a pre-determined ticket. Rauner chose Wheaton City Councilwoman Evelyn Sanguinetti, while Quinn selected Paul Vallas, the former CEO of Chicago Public Schools. The Republican primary was also highly competitive, with Rauner securing the nomination on March 18, 2014, with 40% of the vote, narrowly defeating State Senator Kirk Dillard, who received 37%.
Rauner's campaign was also characterized by unprecedented self-funding. Prior to the primary, his personal contributions topped $6 million, contributing to a pre-primary total surpassing $14 million. Such an outcome was unprecedented; Quinn stood as the sole Democratic incumbent to fail in 2014, while Rauner's triumph marked the solitary Republican statewide win in Illinois between 1998 and at least 2026. The election saw a significant jump in engagement, with voter turnout rising from 16.88% in the primary to 48.48% in the general election.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: 2014 Illinois gubernatorial election
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-2014-illinois-gubernatorial-election.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
