Moderate Republicans crash tea party

"Tea party" Republicans aren't the only candidates poised to make inroads this year - moderate Republicans are surging from Illinois to California, and in several instances proving they can best tea-party-powered conservatives at the polls. Take the Illinois Republican Senate primary: Patrick Hughes, a developer and political newcomer, seemed to have the wind at his back as a staunch fiscal conservative and favorite of the tea party movement. His chief rival, Rep. Mark Kirk, was routinely blasted as a RINO - Republican in Name Only - for his more moderate record, which includes votes for cap-and-trade emissions legislation and the ...

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Tight races in Ill. primary; Senate race set

UPDATED: CHICAGO -- An Illinois primary election that was supposed to set the stage for a high-stakes political showdown in President Obama's home state instead produced intense confusion: virtual ties in the Democratic and Republican races for governor. Gov. Pat Quinn held a tiny lead Wednesday over Comptroller Dan Hynes in the Democratic primary. The margin of less than 1 percent was enough for Mr. Quinn to claim victory, but Mr. Hynes insisted the fight was not over. Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias won the Democratic nomination for the Senate seat Mr. Obama once held. He will face Republican Mark Kirk, ...

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Ill. Primary Sets Up Showdown for Obama's Seat

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias won the Democratic Senate nomination and will face Republican Mark Kirk, a moderate five-term congressman.

Mark Kirk Wins Illinois GOP Primary for U.S. Senate

Republicans have targeted the seat since then-Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested for trying to sell it more than a year ago.