Illinois Primary Wins for Barack Obama and John McCain

Chicago, IL - Arizona Senator John McCain has been declared the winner of the Illinois Republican primary, taking a strong victory in the state over former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney. Home state Senator Barack Obama claimed victory in the Democratic primary by a significant margin over New York Senator Hillary Clinton.

With 97 percent of Democratic primary precincts reporting in Illinois, Barack Obama leads Hillary Clinton 65 percent to 33 percent. Former candidate John Edwards is in third place in the tally with 2 percent.

In the Republican Illinois primary, John McCain won over Mitt Romney with 47 percent of the vote to 29 percent. Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is in third with 17 percent of the vote, followed by Texas Congressman Ron Paul with 5 percent and former candidate Rudy Giuliani at 1 percent.

A total of 153 pledged delegates will be awarded in the Illinois Democratic primary. One hundred of the pledged delegates will be selected based on results in 19 Congressional districts. Fifty-three pledged delegates will be given based on statewide results. Thirty-two unpledged delegates will be selected from party leadership at the May 5 state convention.

Fifty-seven pledged Congressional district delegates will be handed out in the Republican primary. Thirteen unpledged delegates will be selected from party leadership at the state convention in June.