Brady & Quinn too close to call, Kirk wins, and gay candidates in other states do well
Wed. November 3, 2010 12:51 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
Iowa judges who supported gay marriage voted out
Chicago, IL -
Republicans picked up a bunch of formerly Democratic seats in Illinois and across the nation on Tuesday, as voters showed their frustration with the country's stalled economy.
Republican Mark Kirk, an opponent of gay marriage, won President Barack Obama's old Senate seat in Illinois by defeating State Treasurer and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. But the Illinois governor's race -- between Democrat Pat Quinn and anti-gay Republican Bill Brady -- was too close to call.
"The people have won, and I believe we have won," Quinn told supporters early Wednesday morning. "We know there are more votes to be counted, but we are ahead."
Brady has refused to concede until all ballots are counted.
Openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) attended Quinn's election night party and said the state has some rough months ahead.
"We have a lot of heavy lifting to do," Harris told the Tribune. "We should not be thinking there will be an easy or painless fix to the state's budget issues. It's going to be tough."
In Iowa, three judges whose ruling paved the way for legalized gay marriage were voted off the bench.
In other states across the country, many gay candidates were elected or re-elected.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), an openly gay member of Congress, held on to his seat in one of the toughest re-election campaigns he's faced in years.
In Wisconsin, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison), was also re-elected. She is the only openly lesbian member of Congress.
Rep. Jared Polis, who is also gay, held on to his Congressional seat representing the traditionally liberal city of Boulder, Colo.
Democrat David Cicilline of Rhode Island became Congress's fourth openly gay member by winning that state's 1st Congressional District.
As of 2 a.m. Central Time Wednesday, gay Democrat Stephen Pougnet was losing in his battle against Republican Mary Bono Mack. Pougnet is the mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., and will become the first openly gay family man in Congress if elected. For the latest results in that race, click here.
Voters in Lexington, Ky., gave the job of mayor to an openly gay candidate, Jim Gray.
Republican Mark Kirk, an opponent of gay marriage, won President Barack Obama's old Senate seat in Illinois by defeating State Treasurer and Democrat Alexi Giannoulias. But the Illinois governor's race -- between Democrat Pat Quinn and anti-gay Republican Bill Brady -- was too close to call.
"The people have won, and I believe we have won," Quinn told supporters early Wednesday morning. "We know there are more votes to be counted, but we are ahead."
Brady has refused to concede until all ballots are counted.
Openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) attended Quinn's election night party and said the state has some rough months ahead.
"We have a lot of heavy lifting to do," Harris told the Tribune. "We should not be thinking there will be an easy or painless fix to the state's budget issues. It's going to be tough."
In Iowa, three judges whose ruling paved the way for legalized gay marriage were voted off the bench.
In other states across the country, many gay candidates were elected or re-elected.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), an openly gay member of Congress, held on to his seat in one of the toughest re-election campaigns he's faced in years.
In Wisconsin, Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison), was also re-elected. She is the only openly lesbian member of Congress.
Rep. Jared Polis, who is also gay, held on to his Congressional seat representing the traditionally liberal city of Boulder, Colo.
Democrat David Cicilline of Rhode Island became Congress's fourth openly gay member by winning that state's 1st Congressional District.
As of 2 a.m. Central Time Wednesday, gay Democrat Stephen Pougnet was losing in his battle against Republican Mary Bono Mack. Pougnet is the mayor of Palm Springs, Calif., and will become the first openly gay family man in Congress if elected. For the latest results in that race, click here.
Voters in Lexington, Ky., gave the job of mayor to an openly gay candidate, Jim Gray.