Kirk-Giannoulias head into general election for Senate

Rising stars in the Republican and Democratic parties will now face off for the U.S. Senate seat once held by Barack Obama, promising a high-stakes race under the glare of a national spotlight.

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, a Chicago Democrat, and U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, a Highland Park Republican, pulled out of their packed primaries Tuesday night with clear victories.

Giannoulias, who wrapped up much of the establishment and union support early, garnered 39 percent of the vote to former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman's 33 percent and former Chicago Urban League President Cheryle Jackson's 19 percent, according to unofficial results with 99 percent of precincts reporting late Tuesday night.

Giannoulias claimed the party's banner late Tuesday and took a direct opening shot at Kirk.

"Come November congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over," he said to rousing cheers at his Chicago hotel victory party.

Kirk blew his five underfunded challengers out of the water, with 58 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results late Tuesday.

"The people of Illinois now see the arrogance of a one party state and this election will show we will not surrender to their dangerous cynicism of low expectations," Kirk said in Wheeling of Democratic rule after pointing to corruption scandals and high unemployment.

Heading into the general election, the two candidates will present stark differences in background and political style as voters are likely to be fixed on the dismal economy, government spending and corruption.

Kirk, a five-term congressman and U.S. Navy reserve officer, has fended off strong Democratic challenges in his North suburban seat by striking a chord as an independent moderate in his party. The 50-year-old supports abortion rights and gun control, but has been blasting Obama's policies on the trail.

Giannoulias, 33, is in his first term as a statewide official and is likely to lean heavily on unions and his personal friendship with Obama. His combination of political savvy and personal wealth has allowed him to rise high and fast in the party, having won his first office after defeating a 2006 primary opponent backed by powerful House Speaker and party leader Michael Madigan.

In both cases, the candidates are sure to rely on millions of dollars in unrestricted campaign cash pouring in from the national parties as the countrywide battle for power in the Senate unfolds.

An unknown political factor lies ahead in the Green Party bid of LeAlan Jones, who as a child was the focus of a Peabody-winning Public Radio documentary on his life growing up on Chicago's violent South Side.

This seat has been held by three of the only four blacks in the modern Senate.

Throughout the contest, voters are likely to find themselves in the chilling shadow of Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was ousted about a year ago following his arrest for allegedly trying to sell an appointment to the seat. Incumbent Democrat Roland Burris, who drowned in a storm of criticism after accepting the appointment from an under-siege Blagojevich, is not running for election.

The Giannoulias and Kirk victories cap off potentially divisive primaries.

Giannoulias spent almost the entire four-month campaign fending off Hoffman's attacks over his family bank, alleged nefarious ties and handling of the state's college savings program.

Hoffman portrayed himself as the true reformer in the race, brandishing his work as a federal prosecutor and a thorn in the side of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's administration.

But despite sweeping newspaper editorial board endorsements across the state, Hoffman came in second place.

Jackson ran a low-key, Chicago-centered campaign. As the only minority and female in the race, she concentrated her base of support among blacks and women. The former Blagojevich aide eschewed the campaign trail jab trading.

Chicago attorney Jacob Meister dropped his bid Saturday and backed Giannoulias. Burr Ridge radiologist Robert Marshall garnered about 5 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results with about 99 percent of precincts reporting.

For the GOP, Kirk now walks into the general election having dispatched attacks from more-conservative elements of his party, including those who backed top challenger Hinsdale real estate developer Patrick Hughes.

GOP bosses backed Kirk's bid early - perhaps scaring off challengers who could match him in name recognition and cash - as they hoped to reprise a winning Republican strategy crafted by former governors Jim Edgar and Jim Thompson.

Hughes came in second in the primary, with 19 percent of the vote. The rest of the challengers came in at about 8 percent or below, including retired downstate Judge Don Lowery, Springfield activist Kathleen Thomas, Chicago blogger Andy Martin and Former Harvey Alderman John Arrington.

Daily Herald staff writers Dan Gire, Burt Constable and Steve Zalusky contributed to this report.

<div class="infoBox">

<h1>More Coverage</h1>

<div class="infoBoxContent">

<div class="infoArea">

<h2>Related links</h2>

<ul class="moreWeb">

<li><a href="/news/politics/elections/2010/primary/race/?id=13">U.S. Senate race </a></li>

</ul>

</div>

</div>

</div>