1893 Chicago mayoral special election

In the Chicago mayoral special election of 1893, John Patrick Hopkins was elected mayor. The election was triggered by the assassination of mayor Carter Harrison Sr. (a Democrat that had been elected to his fifth non-consecutive term earlier that year). Following Harrison's death, Republican George Bell Swift had been appointed by City Council to serve as acting mayor until the special election could be held. In the election, which was held December 19, Hopkins narrowly defeated Swift by a half-percent margin.

Ahead of the general election, Hopkins was challenged for the Democratic Party's nomination by John A. King, Frank Wenter (the president of the Sanitary District of Chicago), John C. Black (a U.S. congressman and retired general). In an indirect primary, convention delegates supporting Hopkins won a clear victory over delegates supporting other candidates, and Hopkins defeated King and Wenter in the roll call vote at the Democratic Party's convention. Acting Mayor Swift had an easy path to the Republican nomination at his party's convention.