Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Illinois State Legislature
From Ballotpedia
October 31, 2012
By Ballotpedia's State legislative team
| Illinois' State Legislative Elections in 2012 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Senate seats | Contested senate seats | House seats | Contested house seats |
| 59 | 30 (53.6%) | 118 | 47 (39.8%) |
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois: There are 177 total legislative seats with 2012 elections in Illinois, where polling places are open from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM Central Time.[1]
The State Senate is currently held by Democrats, who have a 35 to 24 edge over Republicans in the 59-seat chamber. Democrats also have control, though by a smaller percentage of the total, over the State House, where their margin is 64 to 54.
Of the 177 incumbents up for election in 2012, 146 (82.5%) of them are running for re-election. A total of 77 of 177 (43.5%) districts will see more than one major party candidate in the general election.
Here are a few races to watch:
Senate
- In District 36: Incumbent Mike Jacobs (D) faced a tough challenge from Mike Boland in the Democratic primary, but survived that March contest. He faces Bill Albracht, who worked in the Secret Service for 25 years.[2]
- In District 48: Incumbent Tom Johnson (R) is not running for re-election, leaving this open seat to Democratic candidate Andy Manar and Republican candidate Mike McElroy.
House
- In District 10: Democrat Derrick Smith was removed from office in a historic move by the Illinois Legislature after he was arrested on federal bribery charges, but he remains on the ballot and could reclaim his seat if re-elected. Democrats could not get him off the ballot, so local Democrats have rallied behind "10th District Unity" candidate Lance Tyson.[3][2]
- In District 52: David McSweeney, who defeated Republican incumbent Kent Gaffney for the Republican nomination, holds the seat formerly held by now-deceased Republican Mark Beaubien. But Beaubien’s widow, Dee Beaubien, is running against him as an independent and has significant backing from key Democratic committees in the state.[2]
- In District 59: As a result of redistricting, two incumbents from different parties are both contesting this single seat. Carol Sente is the incumbent Democrat, and Sidney Mathias is a Republican from District 53. This contest is the only one in Illinois that pits two incumbent legislators against one another.[2]
- In District 62: This suburban swing district is closely contested by incumbent Sandy Cole (R) and challenger Sam Yingling (D).[4]
- In District 79: Incumbent Lisa M. Dugan (D) is not running for re-election, and Republican nominee Glenn Nixon has made a strong bid for this seat in a Democratic-leaning area. Katherine Cloonen is trying to hold the seat for the Democrats.[2]
| Illinois State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 35 | 40 | |
| Republican Party | 24 | 19 | |
| Total | 59 | 59 | |
| Illinois House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2012 | After the 2012 Election | |
| Democratic Party | 64 | 71 | |
| Republican Party | 54 | 47 | |
| Total | 118 | 118 | |
Articles
- 2012 elections: Several incumbents toppled in Illinois congressional and state legislative primaries March 21
- 2012 Elections preview: Congressional, state legislative primaries in Illinois highlighted by incumbent battles March 19
See also
- Ballotpedia's 2012 General Election Preview Articles: Illinois Congressional Seats
- Ballotpedia:2012 general election preview articles
- State legislative elections, 2012
- Illinois elections, 2012
Footnotes
- ↑ Illinois Elections, "ILLINOIS VOTER INFORMATION," accessed October 27, 2012
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Associated Press, "Key matchups in races for the Ill. legislature," October 15, 2012
- ↑ The Chicago Tribune, "Police officer picked to fill Derrick Smith seat in Illinois House," August 24, 2012
- ↑ DLCC, "Introducing the 2012 DLCC Essential Races!" accessed October 27, 2012
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