1891 Chicago mayoral election

The Chicago mayoral election of 1891 saw "Reform" candidate Hempstead Washburne narrowly win a four-way race against incumbent Democrat DeWitt Clinton Cregier, former mayor Carter Harrison Sr., and Citizens Party nominee Elmer Washburn. Also running was Socialist Labor candidate Thomas J. Morgan. Due to the four-way split in popular support, Washburne won with merely a 28.83% vote share; less than a quarter-of-a-percent margin of victory over second-place finisher Cregier and only 2.47% ahead of third-place finisher Harrison.

1891 Chicago mayoral election
April 7, 1891
 
Nominee Hempstead Washburne DeWitt Clinton Cregier
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 46,957 46,558
Percentage 28.83% 28.59%
 
Nominee Carter Harrison Sr. Elmer Washburn
Party Independent Democrat Citizens
Popular vote 42,931 24,027
Percentage 26.36% 14.75%
Mayor before election

DeWitt Clinton Cregier
Democratic

 Elected Mayor

Hempstead Washburne
Republican

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Before running in the general election as an independent Democrat, former mayor Harrison challenged Mayor Cregier for the Democratic Party's nomination. A primary was held to select the delegates to the city's Democratic Party convention. Cregier prevailed in getting more delegates supporting his renomination elected than delegates supporting Harrison for mayor. As a result, Cregier won the party's nomination at the convention.

The Citizens Party that nominated Elmer Washburn, the former chief of the U.S. Secret Service and former head the Chicago Police Department, was backed by the city's old elite through the Union League Club of Chicago. Its goal was to reestablish the old elite's power in the city's politics

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