With presidential candidate Barack Obama leading the way, Democrats hoped to build on majorities in the Illinois House and Senate as election results rolled in Tuesday night.
The outcome of the Senate races carry an added dimension because the winners who are sworn in next January will begin a term under a new president who will replace Democratic powerhouse Emil Jones Jr., an Obama mentor who is stepping down.
Jones timed the announcement of his departure to give his son, Emil Jones III, the opportunity to glide into his seat in Tuesday’s contest against perennial GOP candidate Ray Wardingley.
Democrats and Republicans trained their eyes on a handful of races that could increase or decrease the historic 37-22 Senate Democratic lead by a couple of seats either way.
But at no time was there any chance the majority party would change.
In Chicago-area Senate races, Sen. Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) was locked in a duel with Republican Terri Ann Wintermute of Bolingbrook; Sen. Matt Murphy (R-Palatine) leading comfortably against Democrat Peter Gutzmer of Hoffman Estates. Republican Dan Duffy of Lake Barrington was leading Democrat Bill Gentes of Round Lake.
Sen. Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) declared victory over Republican Michael Sweeney of Arlington Heights.
In the House, Speaker Michael Madigan of Chicago had appeared to pick up two seats in hopes of building on the 67-51 Democratic majority over House Republican leader Tom Cross of Oswego, said Madigan spokesman Steve Brown.
Democrat Emily Klunk-McAsey of Lockport declared victory over Rep. Brent Hassert of Romeoville, a member of Cross’ leadership team. Democrat Jehan Gordon led Republican Joan Gore Krupa in an open Peoria-area seat that had been Republican.
But several other tight races remained up in the air, including in the Chicago suburbs.
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