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CONTESTED STATEWIDES & CONGRESSIONAL
RACES
GOVERNOR: Blagojevich vs.
Topinka
 "If the party wishes to get rid of Rod
Blagojevich, the party will have to work as a team. If the Republican
Party wants to succeed and to go on and be a major factor in
Illinois politics, it has to work together. It has to be a big
tent." So
said State Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka in accepting her
party's nomination last night. Topinka took 38% of
the GOP primary vote trailed by businessman Jim Oberweis at
32%, State Senator Bill Brady at 19% and businessman
Ron Gidwitz at
11%.
 Governor Blagojevich told his
supporters, "I need you here in your city, in your town and
your neighborhood.
I need you to make the case, here in Illinois we are committed to
moving forward. Always forward, never back." Blagojevich bested
challenger former alderman Edwin Eisendrath 70% to 30%. Eisendrath was
expected to only reach 18-20% but surprised many political
pundits by receiving 30% of the Democratic
vote.
LT.
GOVERNOR: Birkett
Grabs GOP Nomination
DuPage County State's Attorney Joe
Birkett earned the GOP nomination to run with Judy Baar
Topinka as her running mate. Birkett received 51%
of the vote while State Senator Steve Rauschenberger took 29%,
Kane County Recorder of Deeds Sandy Wegman received 13% and
Lawrence Bruckner took 6%.
TREASURER: Giannoulias Takes DEM
Nomination
Political
newcomer, Alexi Giannoulias bested Democratic Party endorsed
candidate Knox County State's Attorney Paul
Mangeri 61%-39%.
Giannoulias will face GOP
nominee
State
Senator Christine Radogno.
US HOUSE
6TH DISTRICT: Duckworth Will Compete to
Replace Hyde
Tammy Duckworth
whose candidacy was backed by national Democrats including US
Senator Dick Durbin and Congressman Rahm Emanuel will face
State Senator Peter Roskam in the November election to replace
Henry Hyde.
Duckworth beat Christine Cegelis
43%-40%.
US HOUSE
8TH DISTRICT:
McSweeney Earns the Right to Face
Bean
Investment Banker
David McSweeney won a hard fight amongst 7 GOP candidates and
will face Congresswoman Melissa Bean in the number one
targeted congressional race in the country.
CHAMBER PAC's TOP TARGETED
RACES
COOK COUNTY BOARD
PRESIDENT:
Stroger with Slim Lead over
Claypool
As of this
morning, Cook County Board President John Stroger is leading
challenger Forrest Claypool. Claypool was endorsed
by the Chamber PAC
in the first local government endorsement made by the
PAC. With 87% of precincts
reporting, Stroger clings to a 52%-48% lead. Should there still be
suburban precincts unreported, Claypool could still claim
victory later today.
STATE SENATE,
31ST DISTRICT: Simpson Upsets
Incumbent Geo-Karis
Suzanne
Simpson, heavily backed by the Chamber PAC was able
to unseat longtime incumbent State Senator Adeline
Geo-Karis.
Simpson, a former state rep., has a strong business
background and was a champion for business in her lone term in
Springfield. Simpson's convincing
win - 56% to 44% - will greatly assist in what is certainly a
highly targeted race come November.
STATE HOUSE,
45TH DISTRICT: State Rep. Jenisch
Falls to Challenger Coladipietro
Chamber
supported State
Rep. Roger Jenisch was unable to overcome a strong challenge
by Franco Coladipietro for the GOP nomination. Coladipietro received
53% to Jenisch's 47%.
STATE HOUSE,
95TH DISTRICT: Former Chamber
Employee Mitroff Fails to Make Cut
Pamela
Mitroff, former Chamber employee and
endorsed by the Chamber PAC was
unable to secure a victory over Mike Fortner. Fortner won the
nomination 59% - 42%.
Political pundits have commented that the abortion
issue may have played a role in Fortner's win. The pro-choice group,
Personal PAC, supported Mitroff with late money which could
have spurred Fortner's supporters.
MANY
CHAMBER PAC SUPPORTED CANDIDATES WON LAST
NIGHT
State Senate,
1st District - Dem - Sen. Munoz over
Oscar Torres 77% - 23%
State Senate,
12th District - Dem - Sen. Sandoval over
Eddie Garza 57% - 43%
State Senate,
36th District - Dem - Sen. Jacobs over
Paul Rumler 56% - 44%
State Senate,
48th District - GOP - State Rep. Hultgren
over Dick Furstenau 60% - 40%
State Senate,
39th District - Dem - Sen. Harmon over
Michael Nardello 78% - 22%
State House,
7th District - Dem - State Rep.
Yarbrough over Chris Welch 73% - 27%
State House,
52nd District - GOP - State Rep.
Beaubien over Denny Driscoll 71% - 29%
State House,
53rd District - GOP - State Rep. Mathias
over Scott Bludorn 54% - 46%
State House,
56th District - GOP - State Rep.
Froehlich over Anna Klimkowicz 66% - 33%
State House,
81st District - GOP - State Rep. Kosel
over Chris McNeil 58% - 42%
State House,
82nd District - GOP - State Rep. Durkin
over Bill Seith 79% - 21%
State House,
91st District - Dem - State Rep. Smith
over Joseph Yurkovich and Marvin Bainter 47% - 34% -
18% |
