The Illinois Democratic primary for governor on Tuesday ended in a draw, with Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes splitting the vote 50-50 each, with Quinn in the lead by about 5,000 votes. Just after midnight, Quinn declared victory. “We have won this election.” But Hynes did not concede.
Near midnight Tuesday, Hynes, who surged in the closing days of the campaign–and was slightly behind–said, “We are going to continue fighting.”
Hynes hinted at a recount. “We need to count all the votes. All of them.”
Said Hynes to his supports at his campaign night headquarters, “Hang in there, hold on tight.”
A few minutes later Quinn–the former lieutenant governor was elevated when Rod Blagojevich was impeached and removed from office–met his supporters. “The primary is over,” Quinn declared. “I intend to work with our President, Barack Obama, to make sure we move Illinois forward.”
Said Secretary of State Jesse White at Quinn election night headquarters, “A primary election is really a Chicago street fight.”