State of Play:
Under normal circumstances, you wouldn’t expect Republicans to be competing for Barack Obama’s old Senate seat. Then again, circumstances cannot be considered “normal” after a Republican won Ted Kennedy’s old seat in Massachusetts. After impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s alleged attempts to sell the seat, and the controversial appointment of Roland Burris, Prairie State Democrats are in their worst shape in years. Moderate Rep. Mark Kirk won the early Republican primary easily. State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who was involved in his family bank’s loans to mafia figures, narrowly prevailed on the Democratic side.
Primary election: Already held Feb. 2
Top Stories
Mar. 22 Kirk (R): Health premiums will increase $2,300 for 612,000 Illinois citizens
Mar. 12 Giannoulias family friend, contributor arrested for bank fraud
Mar. 11 Banker Giannoulias (D) attacks Kirk (R) over bank bailout
Mar. 11 Poll: Giannoulias (D) narrowly leads Kirk (R)
Mar. 9 Giannoulias Gets White House Support, Sorta
Mar. 7 Bankers don’t need another senator, Obama said. Except in Illinois.
Mar. 4 Emotional Giannoulias (D-Ill.) cries in interview on family bank
Feb. 26 Giannoulias threatened by family bank’s losses
Feb. 4 Poll: Kirk (R) 46%, Giannoulias (D) 40%
View the 2010 Washington Examiner Election Map
Mark Kirk (R)
Alexi Giannoulias (D)
