Illinois Democrats Nominate Gov. Blagojevich for 2nd Term

Democratic Gov. Rod Blagojevich won his party’s nod for reelection Tuesday in a contest tinged with discontent for his first term, while Judy Baar Topinka narrowly edged out two conservatives in the race for the Republican nomination.

The primary election was notable for its low voter turnout, a reflection of a largely dispassionate electorate that awaits a federal jury’s verdict on the scandal-tainted leadership of Blagojevich’s predecessor, George H. Ryan.

The fall election will pit Topinka, the state treasurer and a veteran of Illinois politics, against Blagojevich, an aggressive fundraiser, in what is expected to be a bitter and contentious campaign.

“Together, we are going to go out there and make sure we give Rod an early retirement,” she told supporters.

Even before the polls closed, Topinka warned that with Blagojevich’s multimillion-dollar bankroll, “it’s going to be like a big tsunami of misery” headed toward the Republican nominee.

With 79% of precincts statewide reporting, unofficial returns showed Topinka had 38% of the GOP vote compared with 32% for Aurora businessman Jim Oberweis, 19% for state Sen. Bill Brady of Bloomington and 10% for Ron Gidwitz. Perennial candidate Andy Martin had 1%.

In the Democratic primary, unofficial returns showed Blagojevich had 68% of the vote to 32% for Edwin Eisendrath, a former Chicago alderman.

Blagojevich’s victory was the first time an incumbent Democratic governor had won the party’s nomination for reelection since the late Gov. Otto Kerner in 1965. Yet the vote for Eisendrath, who ran a low-key campaign, reflected concern among Democrats about Blagojevich’s first-term leadership and his promises for the future.

Shortly after 10 p.m. CST, Blagojevich claimed victory in a speech laced with a general election message -- that supporting Republicans would be a step back compared with his progressive social policies.

“I need you here in your city, in your town and your neighborhood,” Blagojevich said. “I need you to make the case, here in Illinois we are committed to moving forward.”

Eisendrath conceded defeat in front of supporters at his Chicago headquarters. “We went out in a race no one thought could be won and ran it to the end and beat every expectation, and by a lot,” Eisendrath said.

In the GOP race for lieutenant governor, Topinka’s choice for running mate, DuPage County State’s Atty. Joe Birkett, had 49% of the vote, according to unofficial results. State Sen. Steve Rauschenberger, Gidwitz’ choice, had 30%.

Separately, a former helicopter pilot who lost both legs in an attack in Iraq sought the Democratic nomination for the House seat occupied by retiring GOP Rep. Henry J. Hyde. Former Army Maj. L. Tammy Duckworth was virtually tied with Christine Cegelis, the party’s 2004 nominee, in early returns.