Dem. Giannoulias wins chance to keep Obama’s old Senate seat in the party; faces GOP’s Kirk

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Democrat Giannoulias wins shot at Obama’s old seat

CHICAGO — Illinois Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (jeh-NOO’-lee-ehs) has won the chance to defend President Barack Obama’s old Senate seat against Republican Mark Kirk.

Democratic voters nominated the Illinois treasurer in Tuesday’s primary. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, Giannoulias had 315,829 votes or 39 percent.

GOP voters picked the five-term congressman Kirk. With 93 percent of precincts reporting, Kirk had 378,676 votes or 57 percent.

Republicans have targeted the seat since then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested for trying to sell it. Blagojevich later appointed Roland Burris, who didn’t run for a full term.

Illinois is being even more closely watched after an upset win by the GOP in Massachusetts that cost Democrats the late Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat.