United States Senate elections in Illinois, 2010
Encyclopedia
The 2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois took place on November 2, 2010. There were 2 ballot items for the same seat: a routine one, to fill the Class 3 seat
beginning with the 112th United States Congress
beginning on January 3, 2011, and a special item, to fill that seat for the final weeks of the 111th Congress
, replacing the temporary appointment of Roland Burris
to the vacancy created by Barack Obama
's election to the presidency.
The election 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: U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk
was nominated as the Republican nominee, journalist LeAlan Jones
was nominated as the Green nominee, and State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
was nominated as the Democratic nominee. 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.
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 will be the ones of the regular election, and that the replacement item will appear after the regular item on the ballot. Sitting senator Roland Burris does not appear on either ballot item.
, the former United States Senator holding this seat, was elected President of the United States
on November 4, 2008, and resigned from the Senate November 16, 2008. Illinois law provides for the Governor of Illinois
to appoint replacements for Senate vacancies.
, Rod Blagojevich
(D) on various corruption charges, including allegations he sought to sell the appointment to the U.S. Senate. On December 31, 2008, Blagojevich nevertheless appointed Roland Burris
to fill the vacancy. After initially seeking to exclude Burris, Senate Democrats relented, and Burris was seated on January 15, 2009.
Burris later declined to run for re-election.
decided not to run for a full term in 2010. Burris currently suffers the worst approval ratings of any sitting U.S. Senator and was investigated by the Sangamon County, Illinois
State's Attorney for perjury
. Although no criminal charges were filed against him, Burris still faces an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee. He has since decided not to run.
Jacob Meister withdrew from campaigning and declared his support for Alexi Giannoulias on January 31, two days before the February 2 election.
has based his campaign on reform and compared the race to Republican Scott Brown
's election to the Senate in February 2010
. 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
. Immediately after the primary, the National Republican Senatorial Committee
aired a web ad comparing Giannoulias to the fictional character Tony Soprano
. Politifact has ranked Kirk's references to the mob as "Half True". Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown
has campaigned for Kirk in Illinois. Kimberly Vertolli, Kirk's ex-wife, signed on as an advisor to Mark Kirk's campaign, but doesn't support his more conservative platform.
On February 4, 2010, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias
revealed his campaign strategy, saying "come November, Congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over." 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.
Kirk and Giannoulias disagree 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. Giannoulias strongly supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. and Obama's stimulus. Kirk opposes the building of the Park 51 Islamic center near Ground Zero
of New York City
, while Giannoulias believes that "Americans must stand up for freedom of religion even when it's difficult."
Labno was added to the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections after gaining ballot access by means of citizen petition. Labno will face Republican
Mark Kirk
, Democrat
Alexi Giannoulias
and Green Party candidate
LeAlan Jones
in the general election in November 2010. He was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He currently resides in Oak Brook, Illinois
, a village in DuPage
and Cook
Counties. Labno is an electrical project construction manager. Labno is also a recruiter for Private Security Union Local 21. Labno is pro-life
and supports 2nd Amendment
rights, downsizing or cutting some Federal agencies and reducing taxes and government regulations. He also supports allowing citizens to opt out of Social Security
. 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.”
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. He has been contacting Tea Party
grassroots organizations in Illinois to discuss the Senate race. On August 27 the Illinois Board of Elections approved the Libertarian Party's
petition to include its candidates on the ballot.
Debates and forums
Official campaign sites
Classes of United States Senators
The three classes of United States Senators are currently made up of 33 or 34 Senate seats. The purpose of the classes is to determine which Senate seats will be up for election in a given year. The three groups are staggered so that one of them is up for election every two years.A senator's...
beginning with the 112th United States Congress
112th United States Congress
The One Hundred Twelfth United States Congress is the current meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It convened in Washington, D.C. on January 3, 2011, and will end on January...
beginning on January 3, 2011, and a special item, to fill that seat for the final weeks of the 111th Congress
111th United States Congress
The One Hundred Eleventh United States Congress was the meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government from January 3, 2009 until January 3, 2011. It began during the last two weeks of the George W. Bush administration, with the remainder spanning the first two years of...
, replacing the temporary appointment of Roland Burris
Roland Burris
Roland Wallace Burris is a former United States Senator from the state of Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party....
to the vacancy created by Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
's election to the presidency.
The election took place alongside 33 other elections to the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
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: U.S. Congressman Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
was nominated as the Republican nominee, journalist LeAlan Jones
LeAlan Jones
LeAlan Marvin Jones is an American journalist and the Green Party's 2010 nominee for United States Senate from Illinois. Jones lives in Chicago's Auburn/Gresham Community.Jones' radio documentaries have received critical acclaim and numerous awards...
was nominated as the Green nominee, and State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
was nominated as the Democratic nominee. The Constitution Party
Constitution Party (United States)
The Constitution Party is a paleoconservative political party in the United States. It was founded as the U.S. Taxpayers' Party by Howard Philips in 1991. Phillips was the party's candidate in the 1992, 1996 and 2000 presidential elections...
and Libertarian Party
Libertarian Party (United States)
The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
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.
On August 2, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is the trial-level court with jurisdiction over the northern counties of Illinois....
ruled that the candidates appearing on the ballot for the replacement election will be the ones of the regular election, and that the replacement item will appear after the regular item on the ballot. Sitting senator Roland Burris does not appear on either ballot item.
Vacancy
Barack ObamaBarack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
, the former United States Senator holding this seat, was elected President of the United States
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
on November 4, 2008, and resigned from the Senate November 16, 2008. Illinois law provides for the Governor of Illinois
Governor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
to appoint replacements for Senate vacancies.
Burris's appointment
On December 9, 2008, the FBI arrested the GovernorGovernor of Illinois
The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution. It is a directly elected position, votes being cast by popular suffrage of residents of the state....
, Rod Blagojevich
Rod Blagojevich
Rod R. Blagojevich is an American politician who served as the 40th Governor of Illinois from 2003 to 2009. A Democrat, Blagojevich was a State Representative before being elected to the United States House of Representatives representing parts of Chicago...
(D) on various corruption charges, including allegations he sought to sell the appointment to the U.S. Senate. On December 31, 2008, Blagojevich nevertheless appointed Roland Burris
Roland Burris
Roland Wallace Burris is a former United States Senator from the state of Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party....
to fill the vacancy. After initially seeking to exclude Burris, Senate Democrats relented, and Burris was seated on January 15, 2009.
Burris later declined to run for re-election.
Candidates
- Alexi GiannouliasAlexi GiannouliasAlexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
, Illinois Treasurer - David H. HoffmanDavid H. HoffmanDavid H. Hoffman is a former federal prosecutor and was Chicago's inspector general. On August 26, he declared his candidacy as a Democrat for the Illinois seat of the U.S. Senate...
, Chicago inspector general - Cheryle Jackson, President of the Chicago Urban LeagueChicago Urban LeagueChicago Urban League, Established in 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, is an affiliate of the National Urban League that develops programs and partnerships and engages in advocacy to address the need for employment, entrepreneurship, affordable commercial real estate and a quality education...
- Robert Marshall, doctor
- Jacob MeisterJacob MeisterJacob Meister is an American lawyer from Chicago and former Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Illinois. Meister practices law in Chicago for nearly 20 years, litigating cases involving interstate commerce, telecommunications, discrimination and civil rights. Prior to his legal career he...
, attorney. Meister dropped out two days before the election and endorsed Giannoulias, but his name remained on the ballot.
Campaign
Incumbent Senator Roland BurrisRoland Burris
Roland Wallace Burris is a former United States Senator from the state of Illinois and a member of the Democratic Party....
decided not to run for a full term in 2010. Burris currently suffers the worst approval ratings of any sitting U.S. Senator and was investigated by the Sangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County, Illinois
Sangamon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 197,465, which is an increase of 4.5% from 188,951 in 2000...
State's Attorney for perjury
Perjury
Perjury, also known as forswearing, is the willful act of swearing a false oath or affirmation to tell the truth, whether spoken or in writing, concerning matters material to a judicial proceeding. That is, the witness falsely promises to tell the truth about matters which affect the outcome of the...
. Although no criminal charges were filed against him, Burris still faces an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee. He has since decided not to run.
Jacob Meister withdrew from campaigning and declared his support for Alexi Giannoulias on January 31, two days before the February 2 election.
Finances
| Candidate | Cash on hand |
|---|---|
| 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 | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is... (report) |
January 16–20, 2010 | 34% | 19% | 16% | 4% | 26% |
| Chicago Tribune (report) | December 2–8, 2009 | 31% | 17% | 9% | 4% | — |
| The Politico The Politico The Politico is an American political journalism organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that distributes its content via television, the Internet, newspaper, and radio. Its coverage of Washington, D.C., includes the U.S. Congress, lobbying, media and the Presidency... (report) |
August 9, 2009 | 51% | 21% | — | — | — |
Results
Candidates
- John Arrington, former city aldermanAldermanAn alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
- Patrick Hughes, Chairman of Sensible Taxpayers Opposed to Increased Taxes
- Mark KirkMark KirkMark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
, U.S. Representative for Illinois's 10th district - Donald Lowery, former Pope County Judge
- Andy MartinAndy Martin (U.S. politician)Anthony Robert Martin-Trigona, usually known as Andy Martin is an American perennial candidate for political office and recurrent litigant....
, perennial candidatePerennial candidateA perennial candidate is one who frequently runs for public office with a record of success that is infrequent, if existent at all. Perennial candidates are often either members of minority political parties or have political opinions that are not mainstream. They may run without any serious hope... - Kathleen Thomas, professor
Finances
| Candidate | Cash on Hand |
|---|---|
| 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 | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Tribune (report) | January 16–20, 2010 | 47% | 8% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 35% |
| Chicago Tribune (report) | December 2–8, 2009 | 41% | 3% | 1% | 3% | 2% | 1% | — |
| Magellan Data (report) | October 8, 2009 | 61% | 3% | 2% | 1% | 1% | — | — |
Results
Candidates
- Alexi GiannouliasAlexi GiannouliasAlexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
, Illinois Treasurer (Democratic) - Mark KirkMark KirkMark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
, U.S. Representative (Republican) - LeAlan JonesLeAlan JonesLeAlan Marvin Jones is an American journalist and the Green Party's 2010 nominee for United States Senate from Illinois. Jones lives in Chicago's Auburn/Gresham Community.Jones' radio documentaries have received critical acclaim and numerous awards...
, broadcaster, football coach, and lecturer (GreenGreen Party (United States)The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
) - Michael Labno, electrical project construction manager (LibertarianLibertarian Party (United States)The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration...
) (campaign site, PVS) - Write-in candidates:
- Corey Dabney (Independent)
- Robert Zadek, conservative, broker (campaign site)
- Will Boyd, (Independent) City Councilman, Bishop & Former College Dean (campaign site)
Campaign
A self-described "fiscal conservative and social moderate," Republican nominee Mark KirkMark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
has based his campaign on reform and compared the race to Republican Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Scott Brown is a United States senator.Scott Brown may also refer to:-Sportsmen:*Scott Brown , American college football coach of Kentucky State...
's election to the Senate in February 2010
United States Senate special election in Massachusetts, 2010
The 2010 United States Senate special election in Massachusetts was a special election held on January 19, 2010, in order to fill the Massachusetts Class I United States Senate seat for the remainder of the term ending January 3, 2013...
. In addition, Kirk immediately criticized his Democratic opponent for his management of Bright Start, an Illinois 529 college savings
529 plan
A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged investment vehicle in the United States designed to encourage saving for the future higher education expenses of a designated beneficiary.- Overview :529 plans are named after section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code...
program and his work at Broadway Bank
Broadway Bank (Illinois)
Broadway Bank was a Chicago bank that existed from 1979 to 2010, and was owned by the Giannoulias family. Its financial situation and history of questionable loans are a factor in the campaign of Alexi Giannoulias in the 2010 U.S. Senate election in Illinois....
. Immediately after the primary, the National Republican Senatorial Committee
National Republican Senatorial Committee
The National Republican Senatorial Committee is the Republican Hill committee for the United States Senate, working to elect Republicans to that body. The NRSC was founded in 1916 as the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee...
aired a web ad comparing Giannoulias to the fictional character Tony Soprano
Tony Soprano
Anthony John "Tony" Soprano, Sr. is an Italian-American fictional character and the protagonist on the HBO television drama series The Sopranos, on which he is portrayed by James Gandolfini. The character was conceived by The Sopranos creator and show runner David Chase, who was also largely...
. Politifact has ranked Kirk's references to the mob as "Half True". Republican U.S. Senator Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Scott Brown is a United States senator.Scott Brown may also refer to:-Sportsmen:*Scott Brown , American college football coach of Kentucky State...
has campaigned for Kirk in Illinois. Kimberly Vertolli, Kirk's ex-wife, signed on as an advisor to Mark Kirk's campaign, but doesn't support his more conservative platform.
On February 4, 2010, Democrat Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
revealed his campaign strategy, saying "come November, Congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over." 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.
Kirk and Giannoulias disagree mostly on fiscal and foreign policy. Kirk voted against Obama's Stimulus package and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is a United States federal statute signed into law by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010. The law is the principal health care reform legislation of the 111th United States Congress...
. 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. Giannoulias strongly supports the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. and Obama's stimulus. Kirk opposes the building of the Park 51 Islamic center near Ground Zero
Ground zero
The term ground zero describes the point on the Earth's surface closest to a detonation...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, while Giannoulias believes that "Americans must stand up for freedom of religion even when it's difficult."
Labno was added to the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections after gaining ballot access by means of citizen petition. Labno will face Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
, Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
and Green Party candidate
Green Party (United States)
The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties...
LeAlan Jones
LeAlan Jones
LeAlan Marvin Jones is an American journalist and the Green Party's 2010 nominee for United States Senate from Illinois. Jones lives in Chicago's Auburn/Gresham Community.Jones' radio documentaries have received critical acclaim and numerous awards...
in the general election in November 2010. He was raised in the suburbs of Chicago. He currently resides in Oak Brook, Illinois
Oak Brook, Illinois
Oak Brook is a village in DuPage and Cook Counties, in Illinois. The population was 8,702 at the 2000 census. A suburb of Chicago, it is the headquarters of McDonald's and Lions Clubs International.-History:...
, a village in DuPage
DuPage County, Illinois
As of the 2010 Census, the population of the county was 916,924, White Americans made up 77.9% of Dupage County's population; non-Hispanic whites represented 70.5% of the population. Black Americans made up 4.6% of the population. Native Americans made up 0.3% of Dupage County's population...
and Cook
Cook County, Illinois
Cook County is a county in the U.S. state of Illinois, with its county seat in Chicago. It is the second most populous county in the United States after Los Angeles County. The county has 5,194,675 residents, which is 40.5 percent of all Illinois residents. Cook County's population is larger than...
Counties. Labno is an electrical project construction manager. Labno is also a recruiter for Private Security Union Local 21. Labno is pro-life
Pro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
and supports 2nd Amendment
Second Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution is the part of the United States Bill of Rights that protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, along with the rest of the Bill of Rights.In 2008 and 2010, the Supreme Court issued two Second...
rights, downsizing or cutting some Federal agencies and reducing taxes and government regulations. He also supports allowing citizens to opt out of Social Security
Social Security (United States)
In the United States, Social Security refers to the federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program.The original Social Security Act and the current version of the Act, as amended encompass several social welfare and social insurance programs...
. In August 2010, Democratic candidate Alexi Giannoulias
Alexi Giannoulias
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias is an American politician who served as Illinois Treasurer from 2007 to 2011. A Democrat, Giannoulias defeated Republican candidate State Senator Christine Radogno in November 2006 with 54 percent of the vote, becoming the first Democrat to hold the office in 12...
declared Labno a legitimate challenge from the right for Mark Kirk
Mark Kirk
Mark Steven Kirk is the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Kirk was a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 10th congressional district....
. Labno responded on his Facebook fan page, saying "This is very true Alexi, and you should be afraid too.”
Labno attended the September 18, 2010 Right Nation rally in Hoffman Estates
Hoffman Estates, Illinois
Hoffman Estates is a northwestern suburb of Chicago in Illinois. The village is located primarily in Cook County with a small section in Kane County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 49,495 and estimated to be 52,520 in 2003...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
headlined by conservative media figure Glenn Beck
Glenn Beck
Glenn Edward Lee Beck is an American conservative radio host, vlogger, author, entrepreneur, political commentator and former television host. He hosts the Glenn Beck Program, a nationally syndicated talk-radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks...
. While greeting attendees Labno noted that Republican candidate Kirk did not attend. He has been contacting Tea Party
Tea Party movement
The Tea Party movement is an American populist political movement that is generally recognized as conservative and libertarian, and has sponsored protests and supported political candidates since 2009...
grassroots organizations in Illinois to discuss the Senate race. On August 27 the Illinois Board of Elections approved the Libertarian Party's
Libertarian Party of Illinois
The Libertarian Party of Illinois is the Illinois affiliate of the Libertarian Party. The state chair is Lupe Diaz. There are 7 Libertarian officeholders in Illinois.-Mission statement:...
petition to include its candidates on the ballot.
Predictions
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report Cook Political Report The Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five... |
Toss up | October 30, 2010 |
| Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg Stuart Rothenberg is an American editor, publisher, and political analyst best known for his Washington-based, biweekly, self-proclaimed non-partisan political newsletter The Rothenberg Political Report... |
Toss up/tilt R | October 28, 2010 |
| Swing State Project | Toss up | |
| RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics RealClearPolitics is a political news and polling data aggregator based in Chicago, Illinois. The site's founders say their goal is to give readers "ideological diversity." They have described themselves as frustrated with what they perceive as anti-conservative, anti-Christian media bias, and... |
Toss up | October 30, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato's Crystal Ball Sabato’s Crystal Ball is a free, nonpartisan weekly online newsletter and comprehensive website in the United States that analyzes the current American political scene and predicts electoral outcomes for U.S House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, governors, and U.S. president races... |
Leans R | October 28, 2010 |
| CQ Politics Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress... |
Toss up | October 30, 2010 |
Debates
- October 10: Nationwide audience on Meet the PressMeet the PressMeet the Press is a weekly American television news/interview program produced by NBC. It is the longest-running television series in American broadcasting history, despite bearing little resemblance to the original format of the program seen in its television debut on November 6, 1947. It has been...
on NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
. - October 19: Sponsored by League of Women VotersLeague of Women VotersThe League of Women Voters is an American political organization founded in 1920 by Carrie Chapman Catt during the last meeting of the National American Woman Suffrage Association approximately six months before the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gave women the right to vote...
on ABC NewsABC NewsABC News is the news gathering and broadcasting division of American broadcast television network ABC, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company...
.
Polling
| Poll source | Date(s) administered |
Sample size |
Margin of error |
Alexi Giannoulias (D) |
Mark Kirk (R) |
LeAlan Jones (G) |
Mike Labno (L) |
Other | Unde- cided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 Research 2000 Research 2000 is a U.S. opinion polling and marketing research company based in Olney, Maryland. It began doing research on upcoming elections in 1999 after its President, Del Ali, moved on from Mason-Dixon Political Media Research... (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 Research 2000 Research 2000 is a U.S. opinion polling and marketing research company based in Olney, Maryland. It began doing research on upcoming elections in 1999 after its President, Del Ali, moved on from Mason-Dixon Political Media Research... (report) |
May 3–5, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 38% | 41% | — | — | — | 21% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... (report) |
June 7, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 39% | 42% | — | — | 7% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... (report) |
June 12–13, 2010 | 552 | ± 4.2% | 31% | 30% | 14% | — | — | 24% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... (report) |
July 7, 2010 | 500 | ± 4.5% | 40% | 39% | — | — | 9% | 12% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... (report) |
July 28, 2010 | 750 | ± 4.0% | 43% | 41% | — | — | 6% | 10% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... (report) |
August 11, 2010 | 750 | ± 4.0% | 40% | 40% | — | — | 8% | 12% |
| Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling Public Policy Polling is an American Democratic Party-affiliated polling firm based in Raleigh, North Carolina. PPP was founded in 2001 by businessman and Democratic pollster Dean Debnam, the firm's current president and chief executive officer... (report) |
August 14–15, 2010 | 576 | ± 4.1% | 37% | 35% | 9% | — | — | 19% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... (report) |
August 23, 2010 | 750 | ± 4.0% | 42% | 40% | — | — | 6% | 12% |
| Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is... (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-09-02/news/ct-met-tribune-poll-senate-20100902_1_broadway-bank-independent-voters-wgn-tv-poll) |
September 2, 2010 | 600 | ± 4.0% | 34% | 34% | 6% | 3% | — | 22% |
| Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports Rasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and... (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 | ||||
Results
External links
- Illinois State Board of Elections
- Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2010 at BallotpediaBallotpediaBallotpedia is a wiki-style website billed as "an interactive almanac of state politics". InfoWorld has called it one of the "Top 20 Election Day Web sites and online tools".-Purpose:...
- U.S. Congress candidates for Illinois at Project Vote SmartProject Vote SmartProject Vote Smart is a non-profit, non-partisan research organization that collects and distributes information on candidates for public office in the United States...
- Illinois U.S. Senate from OurCampaigns.com
- Campaign contributions from Open SecretsOpen SecretsOpen Secrets is a book of short stories by Alice Munro published by McClelland and Stewart in 1994. It was nominated for the 1994 Governor General's Award for English Fiction.-Stories:* "Carried Away"* "A Real Life"...
- 2010 Illinois Senate General Election: All Head-to-Head Matchups graph of multiple polls from Pollster.com
- Election 2010: Illinois Senate from Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
- Illinois Senate - Giannoulias vs. Kirk from Real Clear Politics
- 2010 Illinois Senate Race from CQ PoliticsCongressional QuarterlyCongressional Quarterly, Inc., or CQ, is a privately owned publishing company that produces a number of publications reporting primarily on the United States Congress...
- Race profile from The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- Race for U.S. Senate from the Chicago TribuneChicago TribuneThe Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
Debates and forums
- Democratic (January 12) and Republican (January 14, 2010) Primary Debates videos from sponsor ABC7 Chicago
- Candidate forum, Chicago TonightChicago TonightChicago Tonight is an evening television news program broadcast weeknights on WTTW in Chicago. Chicago Tonight reports primarily on local news and presents features showcasing local artists and events. The show started in 1984 and for 15 years popular Chicago broadcast journalist John Callaway...
. October 27, 2010
Official campaign sites
- Will Boyd for U.S. Senate
- Alton Franklin for U. S. Senator
- Alexi Giannoulias for Illinois Democratic nominee
- David Hoffman for U.S. Senate
- LeAlan M. Jones for U.S. Senate Green Party nominee
- Mark Kirk for U.S Senate Republican nominee
- Michael Labno for U.S. Senate Libertarian Party nominee
- Jacob Meister for U.S. Senate
- Kathleen Thomas for U.S. Senate
- Robert Zadek for U.S. Senate Independent Conservative - Write-In Candidate