 | ||||||||||||||||
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| Turnout | 49.35% | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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 Regular election county results Special election county resultsKirk: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Giannoulias: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | ||||||||||||||||
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The2010 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 theClass 3 seat beginning with the112th United States Congress beginning on January 3, 2011, and a special election, to fill that seat for the final weeks of the111th Congress.Roland Burris, who was appointed to fill the vacancy created by fellow DemocratBarack Obama's election to the presidency, did not run in either election.[1]
The elections took place alongside 33 other elections to theUnited States Senate in other states, as well as elections to theUnited 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. RepresentativeMark Kirk, Democrats nominated State TreasurerAlexi Giannoulias, and the Green Party nominated journalistLeAlan Jones. TheConstitution Party andLibertarian 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, theUnited 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] Kirk won both elections and was sworn in on November 29, 2010, resigning his House seat the same day. As of 2025, this was the last time that Republicans won an Illinois U.S. Senate election, and the last time the winner won a majority of counties in the state.
Barack Obama, the former United States Senator holding this seat, waselected President of the United States on November 4, 2008, and subsequently resigned from the Senate on November 16, 2008.[4] Illinois law provides for theGovernor of Illinois, thenRod Blagojevich, to appoint replacements forSenate vacancies.[5]
On December 9, 2008, theFBI arrestedGovernorRod 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 formerIllinois Attorney GeneralRoland 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 election.[9]
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 a turnout of 47.24%, with 3,545,984 votes cast and the regularly scheduled election saw a turnout of 49.35% with 3,704,473 votes cast.[10][12]
![[icon]](/mt/?noimg=&dark=on&url=http%3a%2f%2fen.wikipedia.org%2fwiki%2fFile%3aWiki_letter_w_cropped.svg) | This sectionneeds expansion. You can help byadding to it.(January 2010) |
Incumbent SenatorRoland Burris did not run for a full term in 2010.[9] Burris suffered from poor approval ratings[19] and was investigated by theSangamon County, Illinois State's Attorney forperjury.[20] Although no criminal charges were filed against him, Burris faced an investigation by theSenate 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.
| 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 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Alexi Giannoulias | Cheryle Jackson | David Hoffman | Other | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 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% | ||
| 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 |
| Poll source | Date(s) administered | Mark Kirk | Patrick Hughes | Don Lowery | Kathleen Thomas | John Arrington | Andy Martin | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magellan Data[26] (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% |
| 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% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green | LeAlan Jones | 5,161 | 100 | |
| Total votes | 5,161 | 100% | ||
A self-described "fiscal conservative and social moderate," Republican nomineeMark Kirk based his campaign on reform and compared the race to RepublicanScott Brown'selection to the Senate in February 2010.[33] In addition, Kirk immediately criticized his Democratic opponent for his management of Bright Start, an Illinois529 college savings program and his work atBroadway Bank.[34] Immediately after the primary, theNational Republican Senatorial Committee aired a web ad comparing Giannoulias to the fictional characterTony Soprano.[35] Politifact ranked Kirk's references to the mob as "Half True".[36] Republican U.S. SenatorScott Brown campaigned for Kirk in Illinois.[37] Kimberly Vertolli, Kirk's ex-wife, signed on as an advisor to Mark Kirk's campaign, but didn't support his more conservative platform.[38]
On February 4, 2010, DemocratAlexi Giannoulias revealed his campaign strategy, saying "come November, Congressman, your days as a Washington insider are over."[39] 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.[40]
Kirk and Giannoulias disagreed mostly on fiscal and foreign policy. Kirk voted against Obama'sStimulus package and thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As a Congressman, Kirk originally voted forcap and trade but during the primary campaign announced that if elected a Senator he would vote against it.[41] Giannoulias strongly supported the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act[42] and Obama's stimulus.[43] Kirk opposed the building of thePark 51 Islamic center nearGround Zero of New York City, while Giannoulias stated that "Americans must stand up for freedom of religion even when it's difficult."[44]
Libertarian nominee Michael Labno was added to the ballot by the Illinois State Board of Elections after gaining ballot access by means of citizen petition.[32] Labno, an electrical project construction manager[45] and recruiter for Private Security Union Local 21[46] 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 ofSocial Security.[45] Labno ispro-life and supports2nd Amendment rights. In August 2010, Democratic candidateAlexi Giannoulias declared Labno a legitimate challenge from the right forMark Kirk. Labno responded on his Facebook fan page, saying "This is very true Alexi, and you should be afraid too."[47]Labno attended the September 18, 2010Right Nation rally inHoffman Estates, Illinois headlined by conservative media figureGlenn Beck. While greeting attendees Labno noted that Republican candidate Kirk did not attend.[48] On August 27 the Illinois Board of Elections approved theLibertarian Party's petition to include its candidates on the ballot.[32]
| Source | Ranking | As of |
|---|---|---|
| Cook Political Report[49] | Tossup | October 26, 2010 |
| Rothenberg[50] | Tilt R(flip) | October 22, 2010 |
| RealClearPolitics[51] | Tossup | October 26, 2010 |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball[52] | Lean R(flip) | October 21, 2010 |
| CQ Politics[53] | Tossup | October 26, 2010 |
Kirk and Giannoulias debates (other candidates were not invited):
Jones and Labno debate:
| 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 ([1]) | 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 (reportArchived October 26, 2010, at theWayback Machine) | 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% |
| 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[56] | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Kirk | 1,677,729 | 47.31% | +20.26% | |
| Democratic | Alexi Giannoulias | 1,641,486 | 46.29% | −23.68% | |
| Green | LeAlan Jones | 129,571 | 3.65% | N/A | |
| Libertarian | Michael Labno | 95,762 | 2.70% | +1.35% | |
| Write-in | 1,436 | 0.04% | -0.02% | ||
| Total votes | 3,545,984 | 100.0% | |||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | |||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Mark Kirk | 1,778,698 | 48.01% | +20.96% | |
| Democratic | Alexi Giannoulias | 1,719,478 | 46.42% | −23.55% | |
| Green | LeAlan Jones | 117,914 | 3.18% | N/A | |
| Libertarian | Michael Labno | 87,247 | 2.36% | +1.01% | |
| Write-in | 1,136 | 0.03% | -0.03% | ||
| Total votes | 3,704,473 | 100.0% | |||
| Republicangain fromDemocratic | |||||
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