United States Senate election in Illinois, 2010

United States Senate election in Illinois, 2010
Illinois
November 2, 2010
 
Nominee Mark Kirk Alexi Giannoulias
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,778,700 1,719,478
Percentage 48.0% 46.4%

County results
U.S. Senator before election

Roland Burris
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

The 2010 United States Senator elections in Illinois took place on November 2, 2010. There were two ballot items for the same seat: a routine one, to fill the Class 3 seat beginning with the 112th United States Congress beginning on January 3, 2011, and a special item, to fill that seat for the final weeks of the 111th Congress, replacing the temporary appointment of Roland Burris to the vacancy created by Barack Obama's election to the presidency.[1]

The election took place alongside 33 other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections in Illinois and other states. The registered party primaries for the full term took place on February 2, 2010, the earliest state primary elections: U.S. Representative Mark Kirk was nominated as the Republican nominee, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias was nominated as the Democratic nominee, and journalist LeAlan Jones was nominated as the Green nominee. The Constitution Party and Libertarian Party submitted signatures to be on the ballot but were challenged; the result of the ensuing hearings was the Constitution Party's candidate being denied placement on the ballot but the Libertarian Party's candidate Michael Labno given ballot access.[2]

On August 2, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois ruled that the candidates appearing on the ballot for the replacement election will be the ones of the regular election,[1][3] and that the replacement item will appear after the regular item on the ballot.[3] Sitting senator Roland Burris would not appear on either ballot item.[3]

Background

Vacancy

Barack Obama, the former United States Senator holding this seat, was elected President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and subsequently resigned from the Senate on November 16, 2008.[4] Illinois law provides for the Governor of Illinois to appoint replacements for Senate vacancies.[5]

Burris's appointment

On December 9, 2008, the FBI arrested the Governor, Rod Blagojevich (D) on various corruption charges, including allegations he sought to sell the appointment to the U.S. Senate. On December 31, 2008, Blagojevich nevertheless appointed Roland Burris to fill the vacancy.[6] After initially seeking to exclude Burris, Senate Democrats relented,[7] and Burris was seated on January 15, 2009.[8]

Burris later declined to run for re-election.[9]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

Incumbent Senator Roland Burris did not run for a full term in 2010.[9] Burris suffered from poor approval ratings[16] and was investigated by the Sangamon County, Illinois State's Attorney for perjury.[17] Although no criminal charges were filed against him, Burris faced an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee.[18]

Jacob Meister withdrew from campaigning and declared his support for Alexi Giannoulias on January 31,[19] two days before the February 2 election.

Finances

Candidate Cash on hand[20]
Alexi Giannoulias $2,429,549
Jacob Meister $1,040,242
David Hoffman $836,958
Cheryle Jackson $317,828
Rob Marshall $1,000

Polling

Poll source Date(s) administered Alexi Giannoulias Cheryle Jackson David Hoffman Other Unde-
cided
Chicago Tribune (report) January 16–20, 2010 34% 19% 16% 4% 26%
Chicago Tribune (report) December 2–8, 2009 31% 17% 9% 4% —
The Politico (report) August 9, 2009 51% 21% — — —

Results

Democratic primary results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alexi Giannoulias 351,120 38.9
Democratic David Hoffman 303,719 33.7
Democratic Cheryle Jackson 178,941 19.8
Democratic Robert Marshall 51,606 5.7
Democratic Jacob Meister 16,232 1.8
Total votes 901,618 100

Republican primary

Candidates

Finances

Candidate Cash on Hand[22]
Mark Kirk $2,213,890
Patrick Hughes $340,048
Don Lowery $2,077
John Arrington $1,540
Kathleen Thomas $1,271
Andy Martin $0

Polling

Poll Source Date(s)
administered		 Mark
Kirk		 Patrick Hughes Don Lowery Kathleen Thomas John Arrington Andy Martin Unde-
cided
Chicago Tribune (report) January 16–20, 2010 47% 8% 2% 3% 2% 3% 35%
Chicago Tribune (report) December 2–8, 2009 41% 3% 1% 3% 2% 1% —
Magellan Data (report) October 8, 2009 61% 3% 2% 1% 1% — —

Results

Republican Primary results[21]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Kirk 419,149 56.6
Republican Patrick Hughes 142,522 19.3
Republican Donald Lowery 66,173 8.9
Republican Kathleen Thomas 53,914 7.3
Republican Andy Martin 37,359 5.0
Republican John Arrington 21,016 2.8
Total votes 740,133 100

General election

Candidates

Campaign

A self-described "fiscal conservative and social moderate," Republican nominee Mark Kirk based his campaign on reform and compared the race to Republican Scott Brown's election to the Senate in February 2010.[28] In addition, Kirk immediately criticized his Democratic opponent for his management of Bright Start, an Illinois 529 college savings program and his work at Broadway Bank.[29] Immediately after the primary, the National Republican Senatorial Committee aired a web ad comparing Giannoulias to the fictional character Tony Soprano.[30] Politifact has ranked Kirk's references to the mob as "Half True".[31] Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown has campaigned for Kirk in Illinois.[32] Kimberly Vertolli, Kirk's ex-wife, signed on as an advisor to Mark Kirk's campaign, but doesn't support his more conservative platform.[33]

On February 4, 2010, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias revealed his campaign strategy, saying "come November, Congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over."[34] On July 19, 2010, Giannoulias announced that he had raised $900,000 in the quarter that ended June 30, compared to $2.3 million raised by Kirk. The Giannoulias campaign also announced that President Obama was scheduled to attend an August 5 fundraiser for his candidate in Chicago.[35]

Kirk and Giannoulias disagree mostly on fiscal and foreign policy. Kirk voted against Obama's Stimulus package and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As a Congressman, Kirk originally voted for Cap and trade but during the primary campaign announced that if elected a Senator he would vote against it.[36] Giannoulias strongly supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act[37] and Obama's stimulus.[38] Kirk opposes the building of the Park 51 Islamic center near Ground Zero of New York City, while Giannoulias believes that "Americans must stand up for freedom of religion even when it's difficult."[39]

Labno was added to the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections after gaining ballot access by means of citizen petition.[27] He faced Republican Mark Kirk, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias and Green Party candidate LeAlan Jones in the general election in November 2010. He was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He currently resides in Oak Brook, Illinois, a village in DuPage and Cook Counties. Labno is an electrical project construction manager.[40] Labno is also a recruiter for Private Security Union Local 21.[41] Labno is pro-life and supports 2nd Amendment rights, downsizing or cutting some Federal agencies and reducing taxes and government regulations. He also supports allowing citizens to opt out of Social Security.[40] In August 2010, Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias declared Labno a legitimate challenge from the right for Mark Kirk. Labno responded on his Facebook fan page, saying "This is very true Alexi, and you should be afraid too.”[42] Labno attended the September 18, 2010 Right Nation rally in Hoffman Estates, Illinois headlined by conservative media figure Glenn Beck. While greeting attendees Labno noted that Republican candidate Kirk did not attend.[43] He has been contacting Tea Party grassroots organizations in Illinois to discuss the Senate race.[44] On August 27 the Illinois Board of Elections approved the Libertarian Party's petition to include its candidates on the ballot.[27]

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report Toss up[45] October 30, 2010
Rothenberg Toss up/tilt R[46] October 28, 2010
Swing State Project Toss up
RealClearPolitics Toss up[47] October 30, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball Leans R[48] October 28, 2010
CQ Politics Toss up[49] October 30, 2010

Debates

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Alexi
Giannoulias (D)		 Mark
Kirk (R)		 LeAlan
Jones (G)		 Mike
Labno (L)		 Other Unde-
cided
Research 2000 (report) January 26–28, 2009 600 ± 4.0% 38% 30% — — — 32%
Rasmussen Reports (report) August 11, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 38% 41% — — 4% 17%
Magellan Data (report) October 9, 2009 — ± 3.1% 35% 42% — — — 23%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 14, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 41% 41% — — 4% 13%
Rasmussen Reports (report) December 9, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 42% 39% — — 3% 15%
Public Policy Polling (report) January 22–25, 2010 1,062 ± 3.0% 42% 34% — — — 24%
Rasmussen Reports (report) February 3, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 46% — — 4% 10%
Research 2000 (report) February 22–24, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 43% 36% — — 2% 19%
Rasmussen Reports (report) March 8, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 44% 41% — — 5% 10%
Public Policy Polling (report) April 1–5, 2010 591 ± 4.0% 33% 37% — — — 30%
Rasmussen Reports (report) April 5, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 37% 41% — — 8% 13%
Rasmussen Reports (report) April 28, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 38% 46% — — 5% 12%
Research 2000 (report) May 3–5, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 38% 41% — — — 21%
Rasmussen Reports (report) June 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 39% 42% — — 7% 12%
Public Policy Polling (report) June 12–13, 2010 552 ± 4.2% 31% 30% 14% — — 24%
Rasmussen Reports (report) July 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 39% — — 9% 12%
Rasmussen Reports (report) July 28, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 43% 41% — — 6% 10%
Rasmussen Reports (report) August 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 40% 40% — — 8% 12%
Public Policy Polling (report) August 14–15, 2010 576 ± 4.1% 37% 35% 9% — — 19%
Rasmussen Reports (report) August 23, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 40% — — 6% 12%
Chicago Tribune () September 2, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 34% 34% 6% 3% — 22%
Rasmussen Reports (report) September 7, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 37% 41% 9% — 5% 9%
Rasmussen Reports (report) September 21, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 41% 44% 4% — 4% 8%
Public Polling Policy (report) September 23–26, 2010 470 ± 4.5% 36% 40% 8% 3% — 13%
Chicago Tribune (report) September 24–28, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 38% 36% 5% 3% — 17%
Suffolk University (report) September 30 – October 3, 2010 500 ± 4.0% 41% 42% 4% 3% — 10%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 4, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 41% 45% 4% — 5% 6%
The Simon Poll/SIU (report) September 30 – October 10, 2010 1,000 ± 3.5% 37% 37% 3% 2% 2% 18%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 44% 43% 4% — 7% 2%
Public Policy Polling (report) October 14–16, 2010 557 ± 4.2% 40% 42% 4% 3% — 10%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 18, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 40% 44% 4% — 8% 5%
Mason-Dixon (report) October 18–20, 2010 625 ± 4.0% 41% 43% — — — 16%
Chicago Tribune/WGN (report) October 18–22, 2010 700 ± 4.0% 41% 44% 5% 4% — 7%
Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research (report) October 23, 2010 1,000 ± 3.0% 41% 43% 7% 2% — 7%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 26, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 46% 5% — 5% 2%
Public Policy Polling (report) October 30–31, 2010 814 ± 3.4% 42% 46% 5% 3% 3% 7%

Fundraising

Candidate (Party) Receipts Disbursements Cash On Hand Debt
Mark Kirk (R) $14,349,624 $13,602,888 $826,604 $0
Alexi Giannoulias (D) $10,017,446 $9,829,642 $115,826 $65,800
Source: Federal Election Commission[51]

Results

General Election Results[52]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Kirk 1,778,698 48.01
Democratic Alexi Giannoulias 1,719,478 46.42
Green LeAlan Jones 117,914 3.18
Libertarian Michael Labno 87,247 2.36
Write-in Bob Zadek 561 0.02
Write-in Will Boyd 468 0.01
Write-in Corey Dabney 33 < .01
Write-in Susanne Atanus 19 < .01
Write-in Shon-Tiyon "Santiago" Horton 16 < .01
Write-in Avner Nagar 15 < .01
Write-in Stan Jagla 12 < .01
Write-in Darren Raichart 9 < .01
Write-in Lowell M. Seida 3 < .01
Total votes 3,704,473 100
Republican gain from Democratic
Special Election Results (for the remainder of the term ending January 2, 2011)[53]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Kirk 1,677,729 47.31
Democratic Alexi Giannoulias 1,641,486 46.29
Green LeAlan Jones 129,571 3.65
Libertarian Michael Labno 95,762 2.70
Write-in Robert Zadek 683 0.02
Write-in Will Boyd 415 0.01
Write-in Ina Pinkney 297 0.01
Write-in Corey Dabney 15 < .01
Write-in Susanne Atanus 12 < .01
Write-in Shon-Tiyon "Santiago" Horton 8 < .01
Write-in Stan Jagla 5 < .01
Write-in Lowell M. Seida 1 < .01
Total votes 3,545,984 100

References

  1. 1 2 "Illinois Special Election for U.S. Senate Seat". Triblocal (Chicagoland Publishing Company, Inc.). August 11, 2010. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Constitution Party forced out of fall election". Columbia Chronicle. September 7, 2010. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Judge confirms same ballots in Ill. Sen. elections". Google News. The Associated Press. August 2, 2010.
  4. ↑ Bohan, Caren (November 13, 2008). Doina Chiacu, ed. "UPDATE 1-Obama resigns Senate seat effective Sunday". Reuters. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
  5. ↑ McCormick, John; Rick Pearson (November 13, 2008). "Obama friend Jarrett not interested in Senate seat". Chicagotribune.com Clout Street blog. Retrieved November 13, 2008.
  6. ↑ (AFP) – January 5, 2009 (January 5, 2009). "Illinois governor's pick for US Senate heads to Washington". Google. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  7. ↑ Burris Will Take His Seat as a Senator From Illinois
  8. ↑ Sidoti, Liz (January 15, 2009). "Burris takes his place as Obama's Senate successor". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved January 15, 2009.
  9. 1 2 Pierce, Emily (July 9, 2009). "Burris Won't Run in 2010". Roll Call. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Giannoulias to run for Senate seat". The State-Journal Register. July 26, 2009. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  11. ↑ Spielman, Fran (August 27, 2009). "Chicago inspector general quits to run for Senate". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  12. ↑ Kraushaar, Josh (August 10, 2009). "Giannoulias gets primary opponent". Politico. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Illinois U.S. Senate, Robert Marshall (D)". KSDK.
  14. ↑ "Chicago Attorney Enters U.S. Senate Race". WBBM-TV. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 29, 2009. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  15. ↑ Christman, Zach (January 31, 2010). "Openly Gay Senate Candidate Drops Out". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  16. ↑ "publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com". publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com. May 21, 2009. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  17. ↑ Korecki, Natasha (March 6, 2009). "suntimes.com". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  18. ↑ "dailyherald.com". dailyherald.com. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  19. ↑ Pallasch, Abdon M. (February 1, 2010). "Meister backs Giannoulias as U.S. Senate rivals rally for support". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
  20. ↑ "IL US Senate – D Primary Race – February 2, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  21. 1 2 "Primary election results". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  22. ↑ "IL US Senate – R Primary Race – February 2, 2010". Our Campaigns. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  23. ↑ "NPR Inside – Press Releases". Npr.org. April 30, 1997. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  24. ↑ "Michael Labno for U.S. Senate". Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  25. ↑ "It's official: Four U.S. Senate candidates, five for governor". Chicago Tribune. August 27, 2010.
  26. ↑ "Board of Elections adds Libertarian Party candidates to Illinois ballot". Abclocal.go.com. August 27, 2010. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  27. 1 2 3 Thomas, Charles (August 27, 2010). "Libertarian Party adds candidates to ballot". WLS-TV ABC Channel 7. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  28. ↑ Lee, Robert (February 4, 2010). "Kirk Looks Ahead to November << Liveshots". Liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  29. ↑ Chase, John (February 3, 2010). "Clout St: Giannoulias, Kirk already scrapping in contest for Obama's old Senate seat". Newsblogs.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  30. ↑ Geraghty, Jim (February 3, 2010). "MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan Needs a Map". Campaignspot.nationalreview.com. Retrieved June 14, 2010.
  31. ↑ Farley, Robert (July 8, 2010). "Senate candidate Mark Kirk says rival gave mobsters bank loans". St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact.com. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  32. ↑ Pallasch, Abdon M. (August 26, 2010). "Sen. Scott Brown stumps for Mark Kirk". Chicago Sun-Times.
  33. ↑ Sabella, Jen (August 17, 2010). "Mark Kirk's Ex-Wife Joins Campaign After Slamming Top Kirk Consultant". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  34. ↑ Davey, Monica (February 4, 2010). "Illinois Senate Race Worries Democrats Anew". The New York Times. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  35. ↑ Pearson, Rick (August 5, 2010). "Obama raises nearly $1 million for Giannoulias". Chicago Breaking News Center. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  36. ↑ Wills, Christopher (August 30, 2010). "Kirk talks trade, Giannoulias talks environment". Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
  37. ↑ "Health Care | Alexi Giannoulias | Democrat for U.S. Senate, Illinois". Alexiforillinois.com. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  38. ↑ Lester, Kerry (September 3, 2010). "Kirk, Giannoulias, outline spending cuts". Daily Herald. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
  39. ↑ Gilmer, Marcus (August 17, 2010). "Kirk, Alexi Weigh In On Ground Zero Mosque". Chicagoist. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  40. 1 2 Lester, Kerry (September 17, 2010). "Giannoulias talks up Libertarian in attempt to siphon votes from Kirk". Daily Herald. Retrieved September 18, 2010.
  41. ↑ "Mike Labno – Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  42. ↑ "Illinois Senate Democratic campaign declares Libertarian Mike Labno a threat to Republican". Independent Political Report. August 26, 2010. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  43. ↑ Pallasch, Abdon (September 19, 2010). "Tea Party, protesters clash at Glenn Beck event". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  44. ↑ Riederer, Caitlin (September 22, 2010). "Giannoulias supports Libertarian candidate in attempt to split conservative vote in Illinois Senate race". Daily Caller. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  45. ↑ "Senate". Cook Political Report. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  46. ↑ "Senate Ratings". Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  47. ↑ "Battle for the Senate". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  48. ↑ "2010 Senate Ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  49. ↑ "Race Ratings Chart: Senate". CQ Politics. Retrieved October 30, 2010.
  50. ↑ Guzzardi, Will (August 26, 2010). "Kirk, Giannoulias Agree On Two Debates; Kirk Still Says Alexi Is 'Ducking'". Huffington Post. Retrieved October 20, 2010.
  51. ↑ "2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Illinois". fec.gov. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  52. ↑ "Ballots Cast: General Election – 11/2/2010 – United States Senator". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 24, 2011.
  53. ↑ "Ballots Cast: Special General Election – 11/2/2010 – United States Senator". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 24, 2011.

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