Your 2010 primary primer: Where the donkeys and elephants stand
Democrats:
Pluses: The state is clearly Democratic-leaning with the heavily populated suburbs having shifted in the party's direction over the last several elections. Plus, candidates tend to have longer resumes and higher name recognition, given the party's recent hold on power.
Minuses: The aggressive push for an income tax increase following the arrest of Gov. Rod Blagojevich may have riled voters, with independents more likely to sway toward a convincing GOP candidate.
Republicans:
Pluses: The GOP is hopeful it can capitalize on the arrest of Blagojevich much as Democrats made strong gains in the aftermath of GOP Gov. George Ryan. Party members have been nearly universal in standing against a tax hike.
Minuses: Party strife again threatens to undermine support for candidates who may fare better in a general election. To win, a Republican needs overwhelming support in the suburbs and downstate to trump Democratic totals in Chicago.
Where the heat will be in the suburbs
Local races that could draw top dollar and attention:
10th Congressional District: Democrats are expected to have a tough primary with three-peat contender Dan Seals of Wilmette facing off against state Rep. Julie Hamos of Evanston along with other up-and-comers. The Republican field is still forming, with state Rep. Beth Coulson of Glenview debating a run and other lesser-known candidates in the mix. The winner may land a big national GOP assist.
14th Congressional District: The son of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, Ethan, is looking to reclaim the seat from freshman Democrat Bill Foster of Batavia.
31st State Senate District: With incumbent Democrat Michael Bond of Libertyville eyeing Capitol Hill rather than re-election, Republicans hope to reclaim the seat they lost in large part to party infighting in 2006.
13th Congressional District: Democrat Scott Harper may have surprised U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert of Hinsdale last year with considerable fundraising and organization skills. He is back for a second try, and Biggert says she is up for the fight.
56th State House District: Schaumburg's Paul Froehlich had been elected as a Republican and then a Democrat. Now he's not running; both parties hope to capitalize.
22nd State Senate District: Will Elgin Democratic state Sen. Michael Noland's vote for a state income tax increase come back to haunt him in this formerly Republican district?
DuPage County Board Chairman: Two local state senators - Elmhurst's Dan Cronin and Itasca's Carol Pankau - are among those running. Neither's state Senate seat is up this time so a loss won't put either out of office.