 Late Tuesday Kirk declared himself the winner by about 80,000 votes. Giannoulias led much of the night, amassing a 25-point lead as
ballots from the greater Chicago area poured in. But Kirk steadily
climbed, surpassing his opponent for the first time about three
hours after the polls closed in Illinois.Kirk can credit his late
evening surge to a steady flow of precincts reporting from heavily
Republican downstate and collar county areas. A top aide with the
Kirk campaign said he trounced Giannoulias in southern Illinois by a
2-to-1 margin.
Kirk rode a Republican wave into Congress that saw the GOP take
back control of the U.S. House of Representatives and pick up at
least four other Senate seats. The congressman credits high voter
turnout from conservative activists, energized by economic and
defense issues, with his lead.
"It was a vote to fix the economy, to reduce the deficit ... and
a vote to support our allies overseas," the senator-elect said. "We
saw dark days for this Senate seat ... but tonight the sun set for a
one-party corrupt state."
His victory represents a major symbolic win for the party, as
Kirk is set to take the seat that served as the springboard for a
Barack Obama presidency.
The seat attracted national interest from both parties,
culminating in major fundraising boosts for Kirk and Giannoulias
from out-of-state groups. The Senate race was one of the most
important in the country. Kirk also won a special election to
replace Roland Burris immediately, adding another Republican who can
block many initiatives that Democrats could enact before losing
their large majorities in the House and Senate.
"I pledge to oppose any nonessential, non-emergency spending
legislation coming through," Kirk said. "Now that I won my special
election, change happens right away -- I will seek a swearing-in
ceremony as soon as possible."
The Senate Republican and Democratic funds pumped millions into a
state that had largely been written off as a safe blue seat in the
past.
Outside groups also helped boost Kirk's presence statewide,
including a $1.2 million advertising push by Crossroads GPS, which
was founded by former Bush election guru Karl Rove. The contested
race was defined by attack ads.
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Kirk and Giannoulias traded barbs through debates and on the
airwaves attacking each other's credibility and honesty.
Kirk dubbed Giannoulias a "mob banker" after a Chicago Tribune
investigation revealed his family bank loaned millions to two felons
with connections to organized crime.
The Democrat responded in kind, assailing Kirk for embellishing
his military record. But the candidates embraced a message of unity
that is common on election nights.
"A few minutes ago, I received a phone call from Alexi
Giannoulias -- he was very kind and gracious," Kirk said to applause
after an initial round of booing. "The time for partisanship is
over."
Giannoulias was also conciliatory and did not hesitate to
congratulate Kirk. When he said Kirk would make a good senator, he
sparked chants of disdain from his crowd of dedicated supporters --
"He's a liar," one man yelled out.
Giannoulias took back control. "No!" Giannoulias said: "He is our
senator."
He pledged to continue his fight to "put people first," a cause
that he said will always be his primary focus.
Kirk said he plans to share a beer with Giannoulias at Chicago's
famed Billy Goat Tavern. He will become the second Republican to
hold the seat in the last 40 years -- Obama's predecessor, Peter
Fitzgerald, was the last.
[Illinois
Statehouse News; By BILL McMORRIS]
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