1846 Chicago mayoral election
In the Chicago mayoral election of 1846, Whig candidate John P. Chapin defeated Democratic candidate Charles Follansbee and Liberty candidate Philo Carpenter by a 22 point margin.Campaign
Follansbee failed to garner the support of Irish Democrats, an important constituency for the Democratic Party in Chicago. These voters rejected him because he was a champion of the "Native American Act", which would require a period of 21 years of residency before any immigrant could become a naturalized citizen.General election
