The phrase "first-in-the-nation primary" is, of course, usually associated with New Hampshire. But, in this year's mid-term elections, Illinois has been the first to vote, having done so yesterday.
For the Senate seat that had been held by President Obama, things went as expected, as I described in this post and this post. Republican Congressman Mark Kirk will face Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the general election.
However, both parties' contests for their gubernatorial nominations were much closer, and the outcomes are still in doubt. I described the candidates in those primaries, here and here.
On the Republican side, the Chicago Tribune at this hour shows State Senator Bill Brady ahead of fellow Senator Kirk Dillard by a margin of 20.3% to 20.2%. Andy McKenna is running third, with 19.3%.
Democratic Governor Pat Quinn leads his challenger, State Comptroller Dan Hynes, 50.4% to 49.6%.
The possibility of a recount looms for both parties. With nine months to go until the general election, they have plenty of time to work that out.
UPDATE: President Obama has weighed in on the Democratic gubernatorial primary in his home state. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Obama has congratulated Quinn, who claims victory, even though Hynes has not conceded.
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