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

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