Democrats are sweeping state

[almaty 19]

It appeared that Democrats could complete a sweep of state government Tuesday, winning the one office they've been unable to pick up in 12 years.

And they did it with a political outsider, a young Chicago banker who didn't even have the endorsement of the party's top official.

With a majority of precincts reporting, Alexi Giannoulias, who turned 30 a week before his primary victory in March, appeared to have defeated Republican state Sen. Christine Radogno, R-LaGrange, to become state treasurer.

Giannoulias' race had been the most contested statewide race outside of the gubernatorial election. Incumbent Democrats easily won in the remaining executive offices of attorney general, secretary of state and comptroller.Advertisement

The contest between Giannoulias and Radogno was set up when three-term Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, a Republican, decided to run for governor. Late Tuesday, she conceded the election to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Numbers were still coming in the treasurer's race, including votes from suburban Chicago and Cook County, giving Republicans some hope. Giannoulias staff said they hoped to maintain their lead but declined to comment.

Giannoulias, a novice in the political system, ran saying that Illinois needed someone with fiscal experience in the office, rather than a politician. But he was dogged throughout the season by questions about loans that his family's Broadway Bank had made to campaign contributors and alleged ties to organized crime.

House Speaker and state Democratic Party Chairman Michael Madigan had refused to endorse Giannoulias, in part because of the loans. Giannoulias, however, had loud support from U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and handily beat the Democrat's chosen candidate in the March primary.

Radogno, 53, had run a campaign both criticizing Giannoulias over the loans and saying that more political experience was needed to work with the legislature.

In the other races, voters chose Chicago Democrats over their Republican challengers.

Popular Secretary of State Jesse White looked to easily beat Republican state Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Pontiac. White, a former pro basketball player and longtime youth activist, carries almost household name recognition. Still, Rutherford ran a spirited campaign, saying that the office, which covers a wide range of state services ­"" from licensing drivers to the library system — needed drastic modernization and overhaul.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan defeated GOP challenger Stewart Umholtz, the Tazewell County state's attorney. And outspoken Comptroller Dan Hynes won reelection over Republican state Sen. Carole Pankau.

"It's been a good day for Democrats," White said from his election night celebration.

The believed sweep of statewide offices would give Democrats almost complete control over Springfield politics. They have majorities in the state Legislature.

"If his lead holds, this really leaves no beach head for the Republicans," said Mike Lawrence, political scientist at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. "They don't have either house in the General Assembly, and they don't have any statewide office now that they lost the treasurer's post.

[Jenn! 918]

Hey! I thought WE were the bluest state!

[mybackpages 0]

Hey! I thought WE were the bluest state!

As a resident of a little blue neighborhood in a huge red state, thank God for the voters of all BLUE states.

[no name 1]

I'm just so damn excited we have a Dem. governor, & a new Dem. senator!

Ohio has been red forever & thank god, we are changing it up!

- from a deciding red state in '04 to a Blue one in '06!

[Ban Hammer 13,335]

I'm just so damn excited we have a Dem. governor, & a new Dem. senator!

Ohio has been red forever & thank god, we are changing it up!

- from a deciding red state in '04 to a Blue one in '06!

a new contest:

i bet our state representative is buglier than yours

[almaty 19]

I'm just so damn excited we have a Dem. governor, & a new Dem. senator!

Ohio has been red forever & thank god, we are changing it up!

- from a deciding red state in '04 to a Blue one in '06!

a new contest:

i bet our state representative is buglier than yours

YOU WIN !

[Ban Hammer 13,335]

I'm just so damn excited we have a Dem. governor, & a new Dem. senator!

Ohio has been red forever & thank god, we are changing it up!

- from a deciding red state in '04 to a Blue one in '06!

a new contest:

i bet our state representative is buglier than yours

YOU WIN !

[almaty 19]

I'm just so damn excited we have a Dem. governor, & a new Dem. senator!

Ohio has been red forever & thank god, we are changing it up!

- from a deciding red state in '04 to a Blue one in '06!

a new contest:

i bet our state representative is buglier than yours

YOU WIN !

brother chares, it was a landslide .....

[silvanski 1]