Final Election Results
Here are some final numbers from Real Clear Politics; who, along with all the other major polling firms, blew it on the Illinois Governor’s race, all having Bill Brady ahead of Quinn by 4-5 points through the entire campaign. On the other hand, most all of the polls had it right on the US Senate race between Kirk and Giannoulias. Most had Kirk with a very slight lead in the last two months. In the end, Kirk won by a scant 1.9%.
Illinois Republicans won back two state-wide seats. State Senator Dan Rutherford is the Illinois State Treasurer-elect; winning by 5 points; and former Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka is the Illinois Comptroller-elect, winning by 13 points. The Rutherord win sets up a whole new chain of events as there are already several interested in being appointed to his Senate seat. McPundit takes a guess here that Senator Rutherford has his eye on an even bigger prize in 4 years.
Democrats now have 53 seats - losing 6.
Republicans now have 46 seats – picking up 6
*Alaska results are still not determined between Murkowski, Miller and McAdams although it looks as if the write-in, former Republican running as an Independent Murkowski, may have it.
Democrats 186 (-61)
Republicans 240 (+61)
Ellie the Elephant scores another victory! Now three for three, Ellie helped in the upset GOP win in Indiana’s 9th District, Todd Young won over incumbent Baron Hill. Locally Ellie helped with the 2006 McLean County Sheriff Mike Emery campaign, along with yours truly, Kathy Michael for McLean County Clerk, in the February 2010 Primary.
DEMOCRATS 18 (-8)
REPUBLICANS 29 (+7)