1858 election-Illinois state senate
Stephen A. Douglas-Democrat current IL senator
Abraham Lincoln-Republican, opponent
Very interesting debates...Both canidates were great speakers. Douglas was the popular man that everyone knew and the current IL senator. Lincoln was the unknown running against him. Lincoln did not win this election but awoke IL and the whole country with his famous house divided speech.
Lincoln later beat Douglas in 1860 for the presidency of the US.
