2010 Illinois gubernatorial election

Background

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for federal elections (Senate and House), as well as those for other state offices. The election was part of the 2010 Illinois elections.

For the primaries, turnout for the gubernatorial primaries was 22.21%, with 1,688,297 votes cast and turnout for the lieutenant gubernatorial primaries was 20.10% with 1,527,782 votes cast. For the general election, turnout was 49.69%, with 3,729,989 votes cast.

Democratic primary

Quinn defeated Hynes by just under 9,000 votes, while Cohen won an upset over establishment candidates by just over 3% campaigning as a political outsider.

Governor

Candidates

• Daniel Hynes, Illinois State Comptroller and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004
• Pat Quinn, incumbent governor

Debates

Democratic candidates Quinn and Hynes debated on January 19. WSIU Public Broadcasting (WSIU (FM)/WSIU-TV) at Southern Illinois University and Illinois Public Media (WILL AM/FM/TV) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign also co-sponsored two gubernatorial primary election debates. Pat Quinn and Dan Hynes debated on January 21, 2010.

Polling

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Mike Boland, member of the Illinois House of Representatives
• Thomas Michael Castillo
• Scott Lee Cohen, Pawnbroker
• Rickey R. Hendon, Illinois State Senator
• Terry Link, Illinois State Senator
• Arthur Turner, member of the Illinois House of Representatives

Results

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ]]

Aftermath

Scott Lee Cohen was replaced as the Democratic lieutenant gubernatorial nominee by former Carbondale City Councilwoman Sheila Simon after he withdrew due to allegations of abuse toward his wife and other charges.

Republican primary

As on the Democratic side, both the gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial primaries were extremely close, though moreso. Brady defeated Dillard by 0.02%, while Plummer defeated Murphy by just 0.65%.

Governor

Candidates

Declared

• Adam Andrzejewski, businessman
• Bill Brady, State Senator and candidate for governor in 2006
• Kirk Dillard, State Senator
• Andy McKenna, businessman, former chairman of the Republican Party of Illinois and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2004
• Dan Proft, political commentator
• Jim Ryan, former Attorney General of Illinois and nominee for governor in 2002

Withdrew

• Bob Schillerstrom, chairman of the DuPage County Board

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Dennis W. Cook, President of Consolidated District 230 Board of Education
• Brad Cole, mayor of Carbondale
• Matt Murphy, Illinois State Senator
• Jason Plummer, chairman of the Madison County Republican Party
• Don Tracy, corporate attorney
• Randy A. White Sr., Hancock County Commissioner

Withdrawn

• Dave Winters, Illinois State Representative

Results

]]

Green primary

Governor

Candidates

• Rich Whitney, nominee for governor in 2006

Results

Lieutenant governor

Candidates

• Don Crawford

Results

General election

Candidates

• Pat Quinn (Democratic) (campaign website): Incumbent governor who assumed office after the impeachment of Rod Blagojevich; sought a full term in 2010. Quinn was previously Revenue Director for the City of Chicago, state treasurer (1990–1994), and an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator (1996), Illinois Secretary of State (1994), and lieutenant governor (1998).
• Bill Brady (Republican) (campaign website): state senator, real estate and construction businessman, unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for governor in 2006
• Rich Whitney (Green): Illinois Green Party's 2006 nominee for governor
• Lex Green (Libertarian) (archived campaign website): Secretary of the McLean County Libertarian Party
• Scott Lee Cohen (Independent): former Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010 who was replaced by Sheila Simon after withdrawing due to allegations of abuse toward his wife and other charges. Cohen was reported to have been in a private meeting with Speaker Michael Madigan discussing his plan for running against Quinn.

Campaign

After the February 2 Democratic primary in which incumbent Governor Pat Quinn was nominated, attention was drawn to Scott Lee Cohen, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor. Illinois law required that candidates for governor and lieutenant governor run in separate primary elections, but run as a ticket in the November general election. Cohen was criticized for his having been charged with domestic battery, in which he was accused of holding a knife to the throat of an ex-girlfriend who was also a convicted prostitute. Cohen was also accused by his ex-wife of physical abuse and using illegally obtained anabolic steroids. Quinn and Dick Durbin, Illinois's senior U.S. Senator, both said that Cohen should withdraw his candidacy, which he did on February 7. Cohen ran as an independent candidate for the office of governor against Quinn.

On March 27, 2010, the Democratic State Central Committee chose a replacement candidate, Sheila Simon. Dan Hynes, who placed second in the gubernatorial primary, denied interest in replacing Cohen on the ticket.

At one point during the campaign, Quinn, struggling to make up ground amidst poor polling numbers against Brady, accused his Republican opponent of supporting a bill to kill puppies. In fact, the bill regulated shelters' practices when they euthanize animals. Quinn struggled to shake off Blagojevich's scandals, leading to poor approval ratings throughout the campaign, despite Quinn denouncing Blagojevich. Quinn trailed Brady by more than 10 points at times, despite Illinois being a deeply Democratic state.

A central issue in the campaign was the state income tax. Quinn advocated for a one percentage point – or 33 percent – increase in the state's income tax to primarily fund education, while Brady called for a 10 percent across the board cut in state government and placing the State Board of Education under the governor's control.

Predictions

Polling

Results

Even though Brady won 98 out of the 102 counties, Quinn narrowly prevailed. Brady won almost everywhere in the state, including all of the collar counties of the Chicago suburbs. Quinn initially had a large lead when results first began to come in, as heavily populated areas tend to report their votes faster. However, once the more suburban and rural areas came in Brady narrowed the gap significantly. Quinn's huge win in Cook County proved too much for Brady to overcome, however. Brady conceded defeat later the following day on November 3, when it became clear he would lose. Quinn's win was ranked by Politico as the 7th biggest upset of the 2010 elections.

Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican

• Hamilton (Largest city: McLeansboro)
• Pope (Largest city: Golconda)
• Randolph (Largest city: Chester)
• Saline (Largest city: Harrisburg)
• Will (Largest city: Joliet)
• Williamson (Largest city: Marion)
• Winnebago (Largest city: Rockford)
• Franklin (Largest city: West Frankfort)
• LaSalle (Largest city: Ottawa)
• Boone (largest city: Belvidere)
• Madison (largest city: Granite City)
• Mercer (largest city: Aledo)
• Monroe (largest city: Waterloo)
• Calhoun (Largest village: Hardin)
• Fulton (Largest city: Canton)
• Henderson (Largest village: Oquawka)
• Knox (Largest city: Galesburg)
• Pulaski (Largest city: Mounds)
• Rock Island (largest city: Moline)
• Lake (largest city: Waukegan)
• Whiteside (largest city: Sterling)
• Perry (Largest city: Du Quoin)
• Union (Largest city: Anna)
• Jersey (Largest city: Jerseyville)
• Hardin (Largest city: Rosiclare)
• Massac (Largest city: Metropolis)
• Gallatin (largest city: Shawneetown)
• Putnam (largest city: Hennpin)

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Jackson (largest city: Carbondale)

References

References

1. Sweet, Lynn. (2009-02-24). "Gov. Pat Quinn to run in 2010. 'I think I am doing a good job today'". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
2. Long, Ray. (2010-02-04). "Hynes concedes Dem governor race to Quinn". [[Chicago Tribune]].
3. "Ballots Cast". Elections.il.gov.
4. [[:fr:Résultats des élections des gouverneurs dans l'Illinois]]{{Circular reference. (October 2024)
5. "Voter Turnout". Illinois State Board of Elections.
6. "Election Results". Illinois State Board of Elections.
7. (2010-02-08). "Scott Lee Cohen bows out of Illinois lieutenant governor race". [[Christian Science Monitor]].
8. [https://abc7chicago.com/archive/7228066/ VIDEO: Democrats running for governor debate], ''ABC7 Chicago'', January 19, 2010
9. [http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2009/12/30/public_media_to_air_gubernatorial_debates_in_january Public media to air gubernatorial debates in January] ''The News-Gazette'', December 30, 2009 {{webarchive. link. (January 4, 2010)
10. (2010-01-12). "Illinois Public Media, WSIU Host Gubernatorial Debate". [[University of Illinois]].
11. [http://www3.wsiu.org/television/debates/ WSIU Prepares Voters For February 2nd Primary Election] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-10-07 , ''WSIU'')
12. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_Ill_126.pdf Public Policy Polling]
13. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100127170902/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/elections/ct-governor-poll-grfx,0,1702065.graphic Chicago Tribune]
14. [https://archive.today/20130104174627/http://www.pollster.com/blogs/il_2010_sen_primary_tribune_12.php Chicago Tribune]
15. [http://paulsimoninstitute.org/images/PDF/simon_institute_poll_results.pdf Simon Public Policy] {{Dead link. (November 2018)
16. [http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/PPP_Release_IL_429.pdf Public Policy Polling]
17. "Ballots Cast". Elections.illinois.gov.
18. "Scott Lee Cohen: The Exit Interview".
19. [[State Journal-Register]] via [[Associated Press]]. (2008-11-07). "Bill Brady says he will run for Governor". [[Chicago Tribune]].
20. "Lex Green for Governor of Illinois in 2010". Electlex.com.
21. "Official: Scott Lee Cohen to run for governor".
22. (February 7, 2010). "Behind the man who could be lieutenant governor". [[Chicago Tribune]].
23. (February 4, 2010). "Lt. gov. nominee: I won't drop out of race over abuse history". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
24. (February 6, 2010). "Source: Cohen seeking 'honorable way' to drop out". [[Chicago Sun-Times]].
25. Isenstadt, Alex. (February 7, 2010). "Illinois lieutenant governor nominee Scott Lee Cohen withdraws". [[Politico]].
26. (2010-03-27). "Clout St: Democrats pick Simon as Quinn's running mate". Newsblogs.chicagotribune.com.
27. "Hynes not interested in Illinois". Blogs.suntimes.com.
28. Other names suggested included [[Illinois House of Representatives. State Representative]] [[Art Turner]], who placed second to Cohen in the Democratic primary and then finished second to Simon in committee balloting on March 27, 2010; [[Illinois Senate. State Senator]]s [[Rickey Hendon]] and [[Terry Link]], State Representative [[Mike Boland (politician). Mike Boland]], and electrician Thomas Castillo, all of whom also ran in the primary; [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs. (August 2010)
29. "PolitiFact - Pat Quinn blasts Bill Brady for sponsoring bill on pet euthanasia in Illinois gubernatorial race".
30. (2010-10-01). "The Blagojevich Legacy: He Presided Over a Long Slide Into Fiscal Catastrophe".
31. MASSINGALE, MARY. "Illinois candidates make final push".
32. "2010 Governors Race Ratings". [[Cook Political Report]].
33. "Governor Ratings". [[Rothenberg Political Report]].
34. "2010 Governor Races". [[RealClearPolitics]].
35. (28 October 2010). "THE CRYSTAL BALL'S FINAL CALLS". [[Sabato's Crystal Ball]].
36. "Race Ratings Chart: Governor". [[CQ Politics]].
37. "General Election of November 2, 2010". Illinois State Board of Elections.