Democratic Reformer Wins Emanuel's House Seat

Without cash or unions, Quigley triumphs in crowded race

(NEWSER) - An Illinois official who ran on a message of reform won yesterday's Democratic primary to fill Rahm Emanuel's vacant seat in Congress, reports the Chicago Tribune. Mike Quigley, commissioner of Cook County, took 22% of the vote in a crowded field despite lacking both campaign cash and union support. "I'm in shock," Quigley said at his acceptance speech. More»

Foster wins Hastert's spot in special election

(NEWSER) - Little-known Democratic physicist Bill Foster beat Illinois Republican Jim Oberweis yesterday in a special election to fill Dennis Hastert's vacated seat in Congress. The Democrat's victory in the GOP suburban stronghold west of Chicago may herald more trouble for Republicans during fall elections, writes the Chicago Tribune. "Voters are ready for a change. They want new leadership in Washington," said Senator Dick Durbin. More»

(NEWSER) - Roland Burris made it official this afternoon: He won't run for a full term next year, the Chicago Tribune reports. “I love serving the people of Illinois,” the current holder of President Obama's old Senate seat said. But “political races have become far too expensive in this country. And in making this decision, I was called to choose between spending my time raising funds or spending my time raising issues for my state.” More»

With 23 candidates in the running, it's still anyone's game

(NEWSER) - The race to replace Rahm Emanuel in the House is ridiculously wide open, the Wall Street Journal reports, with a whopping 23 candidates vying for his seat. That field will be winnowed tomorrow in a special simultaneous primary, but with the traditional kingmakers—the Democratic Party and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley—declining to endorse a candidate, it’s anyone’s guess who’ll emerge. More»

(NEWSER) - Rahm Emanuel’s transformation from Congressman to White House chief of staff is almost complete, the Chicago Tribune reports. Emanuel sent a letter to Gov. Rod Blagojevich today stating his intention to resign his seat on Friday. Blagojevich has no power to appoint Emanuel’s successor; rather, he has 5 days to set a date for a special election, which must occur within 115 days of the creation of the vacancy. More»