Senate race heading into weekend at full steam

One year ago today, Gov. Rod Blagojevich was kicked out of office after landing in handcuffs on charges of trying to auction off Barack Obama's U.S. Senate seat.

The ouster played out as the main event to the sideshow of Blagojevich's defiant appointment of Democrat Roland Burris to the same seat amid rancorous calls for a special election to fill it.

But for all the spectacle surrounding the seat, the battle over who will hold it next is coming down to traditional retail politics as primary contests kick into overdrive heading into Tuesday's election.

Both Democrats and Republicans have struggled for attention in a campaign season dominated by heated primaries for governor. And while polls indicate a front-runner for both parties, it is clear other candidates have cobbled together their own bases of support they hope will push them over the top.

For the Democratic candidates, there is little disagreement on issues and more of a concentration on background and style.

The five-candidate field has embarked on a ground game war over the typical voting blocs: women, unions, Hispanics, blacks, reformers, progressive liberals, suburbanites and youths, among others.

This weekend it will be clear where they believe their strongest base resides.

Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a statewide office holder who started with the best name recognition in the race, is holding a Sunday rally at the Teamsters hall in Chicago, flanked by Democratic officials of all levels.

Cheryle Jackson, former head of the Chicago Urban League, will lead her supporters from the pulpit of a South Side church.

Former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman is hitting Democratic rallies in the suburbs, including DuPage County and Oak Park.

And Chicago attorney Jacob Meister is crisscrossing northern Illinois to fire up his backers, which he says includes a contingent of Jews, college students and gays.

Giannoulias, a 33-year-old Chicagoan, has been sketching his victory map of union endorsements and news conferences with political bosses for at least a year.

"We feel good heading into the weekend," says campaign spokeswoman Kati Phillips.

Yet, just six days before the primary, Giannoulias was dealt a potential setback when his family bank - from which he got his start and has drawn his wealth - was slapped with a "consent order" mandating stricter oversight because of problems with the balance sheet.

The development fit right into the strategy of Hoffman, who has tried to portray himself as a white knight in a race against an establishment figure he contends has dubious ties.

Hoffman, 42, made a name for himself as a federal prosecutor going after street gangs, then most recently by investigating the Daley administration as the city's appointed watchdog. He toured the state in the spring as a key member of Gov. Pat Quinn's blue-ribbon reform panel.

Hoffman has landed every major newspaper endorsement in the state and counts progressive backers like Dawn Clark Netsch and Adlai Stevenson III in his corner. He has the support of the suburban and downstate teachers union.

"I think voters realize I'm someone who is going to fight against the most powerful players," Hoffman said in dismissing Giannoulias' list of union and political backers.

On the campaign trail, Jackson has been relatively subdued, ducking at debates when Giannoulias, Meister and Hoffman would slug it out in personal attacks.

But in the final stretch of the campaign, Jackson is getting louder.

Wednesday she called on Giannoulias to drop out of the race over the bank problems. Thursday she was with NBA star Magic Johnson followed by a fundraiser with hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco.

"She has been content, and I think effective in staying above the fray," says campaign spokesman Bob Kettlewell.

Jackson, 45, has raised little cash, but she has the dynamic of being a black woman in a field of white men. By some estimates, the Democratic primary turnout is more than half women and about a quarter black voters.

In the last 20 years, the Senate seat Jackson wants has been held by three of the only four blacks to ever cast votes in the U.S. Senate in the modern area: Carol Moseley Braun, Obama and Burris.

But to her detriment, Jackson has lacked a statewide approach and has faced repeated questions about her four years as a top aide to Blagojevich, whose trial is set to take place during the general election campaign.

Meanwhile, Meister says he, too, is focusing extensively on his natural base as a gay candidate. Meister, a 44-year-old commercial attorney, has put about $1 million of his own wealth into the race and opened up offices across Illinois.

While at first he attempted to eschew being labeled as a gay candidate, he embraced the issue late in the race.

"I didn't want it to be a focus," Meister said. "But I have realized the issues have taken on a life of their own."

Burr Ridge radiologist Robert Marshall is running as a Democrat, though he has run for high office before as a Republican and admitted voting for George W. Bush, twice. Marshall, 66, has tried to appeal to conservative voters in the party, but has lacked the funds and coordination to get his message out. He was dinged by federal regulators for not filing disclosure reports on time.

For the Republicans, the primary is a replay of the constant struggle between wings of a party wrestling over how best to fly to victory in a blue state.

U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk of Highland Park has been floating his Senate bid since winning his second tough challenge from Democrats in his North suburban 10th District seat in 2008.

The five-term congressman lined up backing from nearly every establishment Republican and raised millions of dollars, scaring away other big-name primary challengers.

Yet, Kirk's voting record on gun control, environmental legislation, abortion and a litany of other issues has drawn a wide field of challengers targeting his conservative credentials.

Hinsdale real estate developer Pat Hughes has been hoping to capitalize on the national "Tea Party" movement to upset Kirk, but significant help from large organizations has not been forthcoming.

Still, his half-million-dollar campaign is waging a field battle against Kirk, who has largely stayed low on the trail.

Other Republican candidates include retired downstate Judge Don Lowery, who won the Illinois Rifle Association nod; former Harvey Alderman John Harrington; and Springfield activist Kathleen Thomas.