2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois

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. Democrat Roland Burris was appointed to fill the vacancy created by Barack Obama's election to the presidency, but he did not seek a full term.[1]

2010 United States Senate election in Illinois
November 2, 2010
Turnout49.35%
 
Nominee Mark Kirk Alexi Giannoulias
Party Republican Democratic
Popular vote 1,778,698 1,719,478
Percentage 48.0% 46.4%
County Results
Kirk:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Giannoulias:      40-50%      50–60%      60–70%
U.S. senator before election

Roland Burris
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Mark Kirk
Republican

Elections in Illinois

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] Incumbent senator Roland Burris would not appear on either ballot item.[3] As of 2020, this is the last time a Republican won a U.S. Senate election in Illinois.

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 re-election.[9]

Turnout
See also: 2010 Illinois elections § 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[19] and was investigated by the Sangamon County, Illinois State's Attorney for perjury.[20] Although no criminal charges were filed against him, Burris faced an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee.[21]

Jacob Meister withdrew from campaigning and declared his support for Alexi Giannoulias on January 31,[22] two days before the February 2 election.

Finances
Candidate Cash on hand[23]
Alexi Giannoulias $2,429,549
Jacob Meister $1,040,242
David Hoffman $836,958
Cheryle Jackson $317,828
Rob Marshall $1,000

Polling
Poll source Date(s) administered Alexi
Giannoulias		 Cheryle
Jackson		 David
Hoffman		 Other Undecided
The Politico (report) August 9, 2009 51% 21% — — —
Chicago Tribune (report) December 2–8, 2009 31% 17% 9% 4% —
Chicago Tribune (report) January 16–20, 2010 34% 19% 16% 4% 26%

Results
Democratic primary results[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Alexi Giannoulias 351,120 38.9%
Democratic David Hoffman 303,719 33.7%
Democratic Cheryle Jackson 178,941 19.8%
Democratic Robert Marshall 51,606 5.7%
Democratic Jacob Meister 16,232 1.8%
Total votes 901,618 100.0%

Republican primary

Candidates

Finances
Candidate Cash on Hand[25]
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 source Date(s)
administered		 Mark
Kirk		 Patrick
Hughes		 Don
Lowery		 Kathleen
Thomas		 John
Arrington		 Andy
Martin		 Undecided
Magellan Data (report) October 8, 2009 61% 3% 2% 1% 1% — —
Chicago Tribune (report) December 2–8, 2009 41% 3% 1% 3% 2% 1% —
Chicago Tribune (report) January 16–20, 2010 47% 8% 2% 3% 2% 3% 35%

Results
Republican Primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Kirk 420,373 56.6
Republican Patrick Hughes 142,928 19.3
Republican Donald Lowery 66,357 8.9
Republican Kathleen Thomas 54,038 7.3
Republican Andy Martin 37,480 5.0
Republican John Arrington 21,090 2.8
Republican Patricia Beard 2 .0003
Total votes 742,268 100.0%

Green primary

Candidates

Results
Green Primary results[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Green LeAlan Jones 5,161 100
Total votes 5,161 100%

General election

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.[32] 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.[33] Immediately after the primary, the National Republican Senatorial Committee aired a web ad comparing Giannoulias to the fictional character Tony Soprano.[34] Politifact ranked Kirk's references to the mob as "Half True".[35] Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown campaigned for Kirk in Illinois.[36] Kimberly Vertolli, Kirk's ex-wife, signed on as an advisor to Mark Kirk's campaign, but didn't support his more conservative platform.[37]

On February 4, 2010, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias revealed his campaign strategy, saying "come November, Congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over."[38] 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.[39]

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.[40] Giannoulias strongly supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act[41] and Obama's stimulus.[42] 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."[43]

Libertarian nominee Micahel Labno was added to the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections after gaining ballot access by means of citizen petition.[31] Labno, an electrical project construction manager[44] and recruiter for Private Security Union Local 21[45] 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.[44] 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."[46] 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.[47] On August 27 the Illinois Board of Elections approved the Libertarian Party's petition to include its candidates on the ballot.[31]

Predictions
See also: 2010 United States Senate elections
Source Ranking As of
Cook Political Report Toss up[48] October 30, 2010
Rothenberg Toss up/tilt R[49] October 28, 2010
Swing State Project Toss up
RealClearPolitics Toss up[50] October 30, 2010
Sabato's Crystal Ball Leans R[51] October 28, 2010
CQ Politics Toss up[52] October 30, 2010

Debates

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

Jones and Labno debate:

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin
of error		 Alexi
Giannoulias (D)		 Mark
Kirk (R)		 LeAlan
Jones (G)		 Mike
Labno (L)		 Other Undecided
Research 2000 (report) January 26–28, 2009 600 ± 4.0% 38% 30% — — — 32%
Rasmussen Reports (report) August 11, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 38% 41% — — 4% 17%
Magellan Data (report) October 9, 2009 — ± 3.1% 35% 42% — — — 23%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 14, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 41% 41% — — 4% 13%
Rasmussen Reports (report) December 9, 2009 500 ± 4.5% 42% 39% — — 3% 15%
Public Policy Polling (report) January 22–25, 2010 1,062 ± 3.0% 42% 34% — — — 24%
Rasmussen Reports (report) February 3, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 46% — — 4% 10%
Research 2000 (report) February 22–24, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 43% 36% — — 2% 19%
Rasmussen Reports (report) March 8, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 44% 41% — — 5% 10%
Public Policy Polling (report) April 1–5, 2010 591 ± 4.0% 33% 37% — — — 30%
Rasmussen Reports (report) April 5, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 37% 41% — — 8% 13%
Rasmussen Reports (report) April 28, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 38% 46% — — 5% 12%
Research 2000 (report) May 3–5, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 38% 41% — — — 21%
Rasmussen Reports (report) June 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 39% 42% — — 7% 12%
Public Policy Polling (report) June 12–13, 2010 552 ± 4.2% 31% 30% 14% — — 24%
Rasmussen Reports (report) July 7, 2010 500 ± 4.5% 40% 39% — — 9% 12%
Rasmussen Reports (report) July 28, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 43% 41% — — 6% 10%
Rasmussen Reports (report) August 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 40% 40% — — 8% 12%
Public Policy Polling (report) August 14–15, 2010 576 ± 4.1% 37% 35% 9% — — 19%
Rasmussen Reports (report) August 23, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 40% — — 6% 12%
Chicago Tribune () September 2, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 34% 34% 6% 3% — 22%
Rasmussen Reports (report) September 7, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 37% 41% 9% — 5% 9%
Rasmussen Reports (report) September 21, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 41% 44% 4% — 4% 8%
Public Polling Policy (report) September 23–26, 2010 470 ± 4.5% 36% 40% 8% 3% — 13%
Chicago Tribune (report) September 24–28, 2010 600 ± 4.0% 38% 36% 5% 3% — 17%
Suffolk University (report) September 30 – October 3, 2010 500 ± 4.0% 41% 42% 4% 3% — 10%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 4, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 41% 45% 4% — 5% 6%
The Simon Poll/SIU (report) September 30 – October 10, 2010 1,000 ± 3.5% 37% 37% 3% 2% 2% 18%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 11, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 44% 43% 4% — 7% 2%
Public Policy Polling (report) October 14–16, 2010 557 ± 4.2% 40% 42% 4% 3% — 10%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 18, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 40% 44% 4% — 8% 5%
Mason-Dixon (report) October 18–20, 2010 625 ± 4.0% 41% 43% — — — 16%
Chicago Tribune/WGN (report) October 18–22, 2010 700 ± 4.0% 41% 44% 5% 4% — 7%
Fox News/Pulse Opinion Research (report) October 23, 2010 1,000 ± 3.0% 41% 43% 7% 2% — 7%
Rasmussen Reports (report) October 26, 2010 750 ± 4.0% 42% 46% 5% — 5% 2%
Public Policy Polling (report) October 30–31, 2010 814 ± 3.4% 42% 46% 5% 3% 3% 7%

Fundraising
Candidate (Party) Receipts Disbursements Cash On Hand Debt
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[55]

Results
United States Senate special election in Illinois, 2010[56]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Kirk 1,677,729 47.3
Democratic Alexi Giannoulias 1,641,486 46.3
Green LeAlan Jones 129,571 3.7
Libertarian Michael Labno 95,762 2.7
Write-in Robert Zadek 683 .02
Write-in Will Boyd 415 .01
Write-in Ina Pinkney 297 .01
Write-in Corey Dabney 15 .0004
Write-in Susanne Atanus 12 .0003
Write-in Shon-Tiyon Horton 8 .0002
Write-in Stan Jagla 5 .0001
Write-in Lowell M. Seida 1 .00002
Total votes 3,545,984 100.00%
United States Senate election in Illinois, 2010[57]
Party Candidate Votes % ±
Republican Mark Kirk 1,778,698 48.0 +21.0
Democratic Alexi Giannoulias 1,719,478 46.4 -25.6
Green LeAlan Jones 117,914 3.2 N/A
Libertarian Michael Labno 87,247 2.4 +1.1
Write-in Bob Zadek 561 0.02 N/A
Write-in Will Boyd 468 0.01 N/A
Write-in Corey Dabney 33 .0009 N/A
Write-in Susanne Atanus 19 .0005 N/A
Write-in Shon-Tiyon Horton 16 .0004 N/A
Write-in Avner Nagar 15 .0004 N/A
Write-in Stan Jagla 12 .0003 N/A
Write-in Darren Raichart 9 .0002 N/A
Write-in Lowell M. Seida 3 .00008
Majority 59,220 1.6 -51.4
Turnout 3,704,473 -27.9
Republican gain from Democratic Swing
gollark: I wonder why the majority likes verdigris coppers so much.
gollark: https://forums.dragcave.net/topic/183217-dragon-subtype-poll/
gollark: I'll dig up my forum thread on it.
gollark: I prefer chronos, but thalassas are probably up there.
gollark: X E N O W Y R M

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  54. https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/kirk-and-giannoulias-debate-in-dc-jones-and-labno-in-chicago/0924c877-a3c0-472f-a03a-8bfea3675151
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