Democrats sweep statewide offices
Giannoulias to be one of state's youngest elected officials ever
Alexi Giannoulias' win will make him one of the youngest constitutional office holders in Illinois history and the youngest state treasurer since 1942, when Republican William Stratton won the office at age 28.
With 80 percent of precincts reporting, Giannoulias led with 53 percent of the vote. His challengers, Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) and Green Party candidate Dan Rodriguez Schlorff, had 42 percent and 5 percent, respectively.
Radogno conceded around 11 p.m., noting to her supporters that she's "still a state senator" who will serve her southwest suburban constituents.
Giannoulias was ecstatic about his win.
"From Day 1, we ran an issue-based campaign," he said. "I'm proud of my family and what I've done, and I am very much looking forward to being the next treasurer of Illinois."
The treasurer's race proved a contest between experience and youth.
Radogno, 53, is a 10-year state senator. Giannoulias had never run for elected office.
Throughout the campaign, Giannoulias defended himself from accusations that his family's business, Broadway Bank, made ethically poor decisions by loaning money to two reputed crime figures. Giannoulias, a Broadway vice president, said the bank did nothing wrong in making the loans.
Besides Giannoulias and Gov. Blagojevich, the Democratic sweep included landslide wins by Secretary of State Jesse White, Attorney General Lisa Madigan and Comptroller Dan Hynes.
ALEXI GIANNOULIAS (D)
CHRISTINE RADOGNO (R)
71% of precincts reporting
53%
42%
JESSE WHITE (D)DAN RUTHERFORD (R)
71% of precincts reporting
62%
34%
LISA MADIGAN (D)STU UMHOLTZ (R)
71%
26%
72% of precincts reporting