2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois explained

Election Name:2010 United States Senate election in Illinois
Country:Illinois
Previous Election:2004 United States Senate election in Illinois
Previous Year:2004
Next Election:2016 United States Senate election in Illinois
Next Year:2016
Election Date:November 2, 2010
Turnout:49.35%
1Blank:Regular election
2Blank:Special election
Image1:Senator Mark Kirk official portrait crop.jpg
Candidate1:Mark Kirk
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Candidate2:Alexi Giannoulias
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
U.S. Senator
Before Election:Roland Burris
Before Party:Democratic Party (United States)
After Election:Mark Kirk
After Party:Republican Party (United States)
1Data1:1,778,698
48.01%
2Data1:1,677,729
47.31%
1Data2:1,719,478
46.42%
2Data2:1,641,486
46.29%

The 2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois took place on November 2, 2010. There were two ballot items for the same seat: a general election, to fill the Class 3 seat beginning with the 112th United States Congress beginning on January 3, 2011, and a special election, to fill that seat for the final weeks of the 111th Congress. Roland Burris, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created by fellow Democrat Barack Obama's election to the presidency, did not run in either election.[1]

The elections 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: Republicans nominated U.S. Representative Mark Kirk, Democrats nominated State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, and the Green Party nominated journalist LeAlan Jones. 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 would be the ones of the regular election,[1] [3] and that the special election would appear after the general election on the ballot.[3] Kirk won both elections and was sworn in on November 29, 2010, resigning his House seat the same day. As of, this was the last time that Republicans won an Illinois U.S. Senate election.

Election information

The primaries and general elections of both the special election and regularly scheduled election coincided with those for House and those for state offices.

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 Governor Rod Blagojevich (D) on various corruption charges, most notably allegations that he attempted to sell the appointment to the vacant U.S. Senate seat. On December 31, 2008, Blagojevich nevertheless appointed former Illinois Attorney General 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 election.[9]

Turnout

For the state-run primary elections (Democratic, Republican, and Green), turnout was 21.74%, with 1,652,202 votes cast.[10] [11]

For the general election, the special election saw turnout of 47.24%, with 3,545,984 votes cast and the regularly-scheduled election saw turnout of 49.35% with 3,704,473 votes cast.[10] [12]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

Incumbent Senator Roland Burris did not run for a full term in 2010.[9] Burris suffered from poor approval ratings[18] and was investigated by the Sangamon County, Illinois State's Attorney for perjury.[19] Although no criminal charges were filed against him, Burris faced an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee.[20]

Jacob Meister withdrew from campaigning and declared his support for Alexi Giannoulias on January 31,[21] two days before the February 2 election.

Finances

CandidateCash on hand[22]
Alexi Giannoulias$2,429,549
Jacob Meister$1,040,242
David Hoffman$836,958
Cheryle Jackson$317,828
Rob Marshall$1,000

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s) administeredAlexi
Giannoulias
Cheryle
Jackson
David
Hoffman
OtherUndecided
align=left The Politico (report)August 9, 200951%21%
align=left Chicago Tribune (report)December 2–8, 200931%17%9%4%
align=left Chicago Tribune (report)January 16–20, 201034%19%16%4%26%

Results

Republican primary

Candidates

Finances

CandidateCash on Hand[23]
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 sourceMark
Kirk
Patrick
Hughes
Don
Lowery
Kathleen
Thomas
John
Arrington
Andy
Martin
Undecided
align=left Magellan Data[24] (report)October 8, 200961%3%2%1%1%
align=left Chicago Tribune (report)December 2–8, 200941%3%1%3%2%1%
align=left Chicago Tribune (report)January 16–20, 201047%8%2%3%2%3%35%

Results

Green primary

Candidates

Results

General elections

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.[29] 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.[30] Immediately after the primary, the National Republican Senatorial Committee aired a web ad comparing Giannoulias to the fictional character Tony Soprano.[31] Politifact ranked Kirk's references to the mob as "Half True".[32] Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown campaigned for Kirk in Illinois.[33] Kimberly Vertolli, Kirk's ex-wife, signed on as an advisor to Mark Kirk's campaign, but didn't support his more conservative platform.[34]

On February 4, 2010, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias revealed his campaign strategy, saying "come November, Congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over."[35] 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.[36]

Kirk and Giannoulias disagreed 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.[37] Giannoulias strongly supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act[38] and Obama's stimulus.[39] Kirk opposed the building of the Park 51 Islamic center near Ground Zero of New York City, while Giannoulias stated that "Americans must stand up for freedom of religion even when it's difficult."[40]

Libertarian nominee Michael Labno was added to the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections after gaining ballot access by means of citizen petition.[41] Labno, an electrical project construction manager[42] and recruiter for Private Security Union Local 21[43] ran on a platform of downsizing or cutting some Federal agencies and reducing taxes and government regulations. He also supported allowing citizens to opt out of Social Security.[42] Labno is pro-life and supports 2nd Amendment rights. 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."[44] 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.[45] On August 27 the Illinois Board of Elections approved the Libertarian Party's petition to include its candidates on the ballot.[41]

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Cook Political Report[46] October 26, 2010
Rothenberg[47] October 22, 2010
RealClearPolitics[48] October 26, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball[49] October 21, 2010
CQ Politics[50] October 26, 2010

Debates

Kirk and Giannoulias debates (other candidates were not invited):

Jones and Labno debate:

Polling

Poll sourceAlexi
Mark
Kirk (R)
LeAlan
Jones (G)
Mike
Labno (L)
OtherUndecided
Research 2000 (report)January 26–28, 2009600± 4.0%38%30%32%
Rasmussen Reports (report)August 11, 2009500± 4.5%38%41%4%17%
Magellan Data (report)October 9, 2009± 3.1%35%42%23%
Rasmussen Reports (report)October 14, 2009500± 4.5%41%41%4%13%
Rasmussen Reports (report)December 9, 2009500± 4.5%42%39%3%15%
Public Policy Polling (report)January 22–25, 20101,062± 3.0%42%34%24%
Rasmussen Reports (report)February 3, 2010500± 4.5%40%46%4%10%
Research 2000 (report)February 22–24, 2010600± 4.0%43%36%2%19%
Rasmussen Reports (report)March 8, 2010500± 4.5%44%41%5%10%
Public Policy Polling (report)April 1–5, 2010591± 4.0%33%37%30%
Rasmussen Reports (report)April 5, 2010500± 4.5%37%41%8%13%
Rasmussen Reports (report)April 28, 2010500± 4.5%38%46%5%12%
Research 2000 (report)May 3–5, 2010600± 4.0%38%41%21%
Rasmussen Reports (report)June 7, 2010500± 4.5%39%42%7%12%
Public Policy Polling (report)June 12–13, 2010552± 4.2%31%30%14%24%
Rasmussen Reports (report)July 7, 2010500± 4.5%40%39%9%12%
Rasmussen Reports (report)July 28, 2010750± 4.0%43%41%6%10%
Rasmussen Reports (report)August 11, 2010750± 4.0%40%40%8%12%
Public Policy Polling (report)August 14–15, 2010576± 4.1%37%35%9%19%
Rasmussen Reports (report)August 23, 2010750± 4.0%42%40%6%12%
Chicago Tribune (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-09-02/news/ct-met-tribune-poll-senate-20100902_1_broadway-bank-independent-voters-wgn-tv-poll)September 2, 2010600± 4.0%34%34%6%3%22%
Rasmussen Reports (report)September 7, 2010750± 4.0%37%41%9%5%9%
Rasmussen Reports (report)September 21, 2010750± 4.0%41%44%4%4%8%
Public Polling Policy (report)September 23–26, 2010470± 4.5%36%40%8%3%13%
Chicago Tribune (report)September 24–28, 2010600± 4.0%38%36%5%3%17%
Suffolk University (report)September 30 – October 3, 2010500± 4.0%41%42%4%3%10%
Rasmussen Reports (report)October 4, 2010750± 4.0%41%45%4%5%6%
The Simon Poll/SIU (report)September 30 – October 10, 20101,000± 3.5%37%37%3%2%2%18%
Rasmussen Reports (report)October 11, 2010750± 4.0%44%43%4%7%2%
Public Policy Polling (report)October 14–16, 2010557± 4.2%40%42%4%3%10%
Rasmussen Reports (report)October 18, 2010750± 4.0%40%44%4%8%5%
Mason-Dixon (report)October 18–20, 2010625± 4.0%41%43%16%
Chicago Tribune/WGN (report)October 18–22, 2010700± 4.0%41%44%5%4%7%
Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research (report)October 23, 20101,000± 3.0%41%43%7%2%7%
Rasmussen Reports (report)October 26, 2010750± 4.0%42%46%5%5%2%
Public Policy Polling (report)October 30–31, 2010814± 3.4%42%46%5%3%3%7%

Fundraising

Candidate (Party)ReceiptsDisbursementsCash On HandDebt
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[53]

Results

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

External links

Debates and forums

Official campaign sites (Archived)

Notes and References

  1. News: Illinois Special Election for U.S. Senate Seat . . . August 11, 2010 . August 12, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726123044/http://triblocal.com/grayslake/2010/08/11/illinois-special-election-for-u-s-senate-seat/ . July 26, 2011 . dead .
  2. News: Constitution Party forced out of fall election . https://web.archive.org/web/20100921071234/http://columbiachronicle.com/constitution-party-forced-out-of-fall-election/ . dead . September 21, 2010 . . September 7, 2010 . September 15, 2010 .
  3. News: Judge confirms same ballots in Ill. Sen. elections . August 2, 2010 . .
  4. News: UPDATE 1-Obama resigns Senate seat effective Sunday . November 13, 2008. Caren . Bohan . Doina Chiacu . Reuters . November 13, 2008 .
  5. News: Obama friend Jarrett not interested in Senate seat . John . McCormick . Rick Pearson . November 13, 2008 . Chicagotribune.com Clout Street blog . November 13, 2008 .
  6. Web site: (AFP) – January 5, 2009 . Illinois governor's pick for US Senate heads to Washington . https://web.archive.org/web/20130201035129/http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g8mJtJvSLB5Rbd3zal_23UDJuDhA . dead . February 1, 2013 . January 5, 2009 . June 14, 2010.
  7. News: Burris Will Take His Seat as a Senator From Illinois (Published 2009) . The New York Times . January 13, 2009 . Hulse . Carl .
  8. Web site: Burris takes his place as Obama's Senate successor . January 15, 2009 . . Liz . Sidoti . January 15, 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090119082104/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090115/ap_on_go_co/senate_burris . January 19, 2009 .
  9. Web site: Burris Won't Run in 2010 . . July 9, 2009 . June 15, 2010 . Emily . Pierce.
  10. Web site: Election Results . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 23 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200222093629/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx . February 22, 2020 . dead .
  11. Web site: Voter Turnout . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 22 March 2020 .
  12. Web site: Voter Turnout . www.elections.il.gov . Illinois State Board of Elections . 22 March 2020 .
  13. Web site: Giannoulias to run for Senate seat . July 26, 2009 . June 15, 2010 . The State-Journal Register.
  14. News: Chicago inspector general quits to run for Senate . Chicago Sun-Times . August 27, 2009 . April 20, 2010 . Fran . Spielman . https://web.archive.org/web/20100208033045/http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/1735441,inspector-general-hoffman-quits-senate-082609.article . February 8, 2010 . dead . mdy-all .
  15. Web site: Giannoulias gets primary opponent . . August 10, 2009 . June 15, 2010 . Josh . Kraushaar.
  16. Web site: Illinois U.S. Senate, Robert Marshall (D) . KSDK.
  17. Web site: Chicago Attorney Enters U.S. Senate Race . . September 8, 2009 . April 20, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091229204914/http://cbs2chicago.com/local/jacob.meister.senate.2.1170175.html . December 29, 2009 .
  18. Web site: publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com . publicpolicypolling.blogspot.com . May 21, 2009 . June 14, 2010.
  19. News: suntimes.com . Chicago Sun-Times . March 6, 2009 . June 14, 2010 . Natasha . Korecki . https://web.archive.org/web/20090418163320/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/burris/1463775,CST-NWS-invest06.article . April 18, 2009 . dead . mdy-all .
  20. Web site: dailyherald.com . dailyherald.com . June 14, 2010.
  21. News: Meister backs Giannoulias as U.S. Senate rivals rally for support . Abdon M. . Pallasch . February 1, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100204214312/http://www.suntimes.com/news/elections/2021596,meister-giannoulias-democratic-senate-013110.article . dead . February 4, 2010 . Chicago Sun-Times . February 1, 2010 .
  22. Web site: IL US Senate – D Primary Race – February 2, 2010 . Our Campaigns . April 20, 2010.
  23. Web site: IL US Senate – R Primary Race – February 2, 2010 . Our Campaigns . April 20, 2010.
  24. http://magellanstrategies.com Magellan Data
  25. Web site: NPR Inside – Press Releases . Npr.org . April 30, 1997 . April 20, 2010.
  26. Web site: Michael Labno for U.S. Senate . February 9, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100305151535/http://www.labno4senate.com/ . March 5, 2010 . dead . mdy-all .
  27. News: It's official: Four U.S. Senate candidates, five for governor . Chicago Tribune . August 27, 2010.
  28. Web site: Board of Elections adds Libertarian Party candidates to Illinois ballot . Abclocal.go.com . August 27, 2010 . October 20, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100831062223/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=7635356 . August 31, 2010 . live .
  29. News: Robert . Lee . Kirk Looks Ahead to November << Liveshots . Liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com . February 4, 2010 . April 20, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110726122508/http://liveshots.blogs.foxnews.com/2010/02/03/kirk-wins-big-looks-to-november/?test=latestnews . July 26, 2011 . dead . mdy-all .
  30. News: John . Chase . Clout St: Giannoulias, Kirk already scrapping in contest for Obama's old Senate seat . Newsblogs.chicagotribune.com . February 3, 2010 . April 20, 2010.
  31. Web site: MSNBC's Dylan Ratigan Needs a Map . https://archive.today/20120712213102/http://campaignspot.nationalreview.com/post/?q=YjQ1N2Y5OGIwN2I5OTYxMDM5Y2U1YjU5ZjgwMjFjZjg . dead . July 12, 2012 . Jim . Geraghty . Campaignspot.nationalreview.com . February 3, 2010 . June 14, 2010 .
  32. Web site: Senate candidate Mark Kirk says rival gave mobsters bank loans . Robert . Farley . St. Petersburg Times PolitiFact.com . July 8, 2010 . September 15, 2010.
  33. News: Sen. Scott Brown stumps for Mark Kirk . https://web.archive.org/web/20100829111433/http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/2641556,scott-brown-fundraiser-mark-kirk-082610.article . dead . August 29, 2010 . Chicago Sun-Times . Abdon M. . Pallasch . August 26, 2010 .
  34. News: Mark Kirk's Ex-Wife Joins Campaign After Slamming Top Kirk Consultant . Huffington Post . August 17, 2010 . October 20, 2010 . Jen . Sabella.
  35. News: Illinois Senate Race Worries Democrats Anew . The New York Times . Monica . Davey . February 4, 2010 . April 1, 2010.
  36. News: Obama raises nearly $1 million for Giannoulias . Rick . Pearson . Chicago Breaking News Center . August 5, 2010 . September 19, 2010.
  37. News: Kirk talks trade, Giannoulias talks environment . Bloomington-Normal Pantagraph . Christopher . Wills . August 30, 2010 . September 18, 2010.
  38. Web site: Health Care Alexi Giannoulias Democrat for U.S. Senate, Illinois . Alexiforillinois.com . October 20, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101019000944/http://alexiforillinois.com/issues/health-care . October 19, 2010 . dead . mdy-all .
  39. News: Kirk, Giannoulias, outline spending cuts . Daily Herald . Kerry . Lester . September 3, 2010 . September 18, 2010.
  40. Web site: Gilmer . Marcus . Kirk, Alexi Weigh In On Ground Zero Mosque . Chicagoist . August 17, 2010 . October 20, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111117191402/http://chicagoist.com/2010/08/17/kirk_alexi_weigh_in_on_ground_zero.php . November 17, 2011 . mdy-all .
  41. News: Libertarian Party adds candidates to ballot . August 27, 2010 . Thomas . Charles . WLS-TV ABC Channel 7 . September 15, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100831062223/http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news%2Fpolitics&id=7635356 . August 31, 2010 . live .
  42. News: Giannoulias talks up Libertarian in attempt to siphon votes from Kirk . September 17, 2010 . Lester . Kerry . Daily Herald . September 18, 2010.
  43. News: Mike Labno – Biography . Project Vote Smart . September 15, 2010.
  44. News: Illinois Senate Democratic campaign declares Libertarian Mike Labno a threat to Republican . September 19, 2010 . Independent Political Report . August 26, 2010.
  45. News: Tea Party, protesters clash at Glenn Beck event . September 19, 2010 . Pallasch . Abdon . https://web.archive.org/web/20100922030202/http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/2724522,tea-party-protesters-091810.article . dead . September 22, 2010 . Chicago Sun-Times . September 19, 2010 .
  46. Web site: Senate . . October 26, 2010.
  47. Web site: Senate Ratings . . October 26, 2010.
  48. Web site: Battle for the Senate . . October 26, 2010.
  49. Web site: 2010 Senate Ratings . . October 26, 2010 . October 28, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028092918/http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-senate/ . dead .
  50. Web site: Race Ratings Chart: Senate . . October 26, 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101028234525/http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=ratings-senate . October 28, 2010 .
  51. News: Kirk, Giannoulias Agree On Two Debates; Kirk Still Says Alexi Is 'Ducking' . Huffington Post . August 26, 2010 . October 20, 2010 . Will . Guzzardi.
  52. Web site: Kirk and Giannoulias Debate in D.C., Jones and Labno in Chicago. October 11, 2010.
  53. Web site: 2010 House and Senate Campaign Finance for Illinois . fec.gov . July 25, 2010 .