1856 Chicago mayoral election

Chicago mayoral election, 1856

← 1855 March 10, 1856 1857 →

Candidate Thomas Dyer Francis Cornwall Sherman Party Nebraska Democrat Anti-Nebraska Democrat (Cross-nominated by the Know Nothing Party) Popular vote 4,712 4,138 Percentage 53.24% 46.76%

Mayor before election Levi Boone Know Nothing Elected Mayor Thomas Dyer Democratic

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v t e

In the 1856 Chicago mayoral election, Thomas Dyer defeated former mayor Francis Cornwall Sherman.^[1] The race was shaped by the divisive national political debate surrounding the issue of slavery, particularly debate surrounding the controversial Kansas–Nebraska Act, and the election was treated by many as a referendum on it.^[2] Dyer vocally supported the act, while Sherman stood in opposition to it.

The election was held on March 10.^[3]