Jump to content

2016 United States Senate election in Illinois

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by AlDefinitely (talk | contribs) at 14:19, 23 October 2023 (Made percentages in main infobox to the nearest hundredth.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

2016 United States Senate election in Illinois

← 2010 November 8, 2016 2022 →
Turnout68.39%
 
Nominee Tammy Duckworth Mark Kirk
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,012,940 2,184,693
Percentage 54.86% 39.78%

Duckworth:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Tie:      40–50%      50%
Kirk:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
No Vote:            

U.S. senator before election

Mark Kirk
Republican

Elected U.S. Senator

Tammy Duckworth
Democratic

The 2016 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Illinois, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections.

Prior to the election, Mark Kirk was considered to be the most vulnerable senator from either party seeking re-election in 2016[1][2] due to Illinois's heavy Democratic partisan balance with news networks and analysts expecting a Democratic pickup.

Party primary elections in Illinois were held March 15, 2016. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk ran for re-election to a second full term,[3] but he was easily defeated by Democratic nominee Tammy Duckworth, the U.S. representative from Illinois's 8th congressional district and a decorated combat veteran of the Iraq War. Duckworth became the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from Illinois since Carol Moseley Braun in 1992. Despite his loss, Kirk did manage to outperform Trump in the concurrent election by around 2 percent.

Election information

The primaries and general elections coincided with those for United States President and House, as well as those for state offices.

Background

In 2010, Republican Mark Kirk was elected to the Senate for Illinois, defeating Democratic nominee Alexi Giannoulias by 59,220 votes out of more than 3.7 million votes cast.

Kirk suffered a severe stroke in January 2012 that kept him away from the Senate until January 2013.[4] In June 2013 he confirmed that he was "planning" to run for re-election,[5][6] but there was speculation that he might retire,[7] particularly in the wake of the departure of several of his senior staff.[8][9] Republican Bruce Rauner was elected Governor in 2014, and a possible scenario was that Kirk would resign early, allowing Rauner to appoint another Republican as the replacement.[10] Potential replacements included U.S. Representatives Bob Dold, Adam Kinzinger, Aaron Schock, and Peter Roskam, State Senators Jason Barickman and Christine Radogno, hedge fund manager and founder and CEO of Citadel LLC Kenneth C. Griffin, and businesswoman Beth Christie.[7][9] In November 2014, Kirk reiterated that he was going to run for re-election.[3]

Kirk was identified by The Washington Post, The New York Times, Politico, The Huffington Post, Slate and Roll Call as one of the most vulnerable Republican senators up for re-election in 2016.[11][12][13][14][15][16]

Turnout

For the primary election, turnout was 41.94%, with 3,215,334 votes cast.[17][18] For the general election, turnout was 68.39%, with 5,491,878 votes cast.[19][18]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Removed from ballot

Withdrawn

  • Ron Wallace, investment advisor, conservative activist and economics professor[23][24]

Declined

Endorsements

Mark Kirk
James Marter
Individuals
Organizations
  • ALIPAC (Americans for Legal Immigration PAC)[40]
  • Chicago 11th Ward Republican Party[41]

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Kirk
James
Marter
Undecided
Chicago Tribune March 2–6, 2016 600 ± 4.1% 65% 22% 12%
SIU Simon Institute February 15–20, 2016 306 ± 5.6% 53% 14% 33%

Results

Results by county
  Kirk—70–80%
  Kirk—60–70%
  Kirk—50–60%
Republican primary results[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mark Kirk (incumbent) 931,619 70.6
Republican James T. Marter 388,571 29.4
Total votes 1,320,190 100.0

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Tammy Duckworth
U.S. Cabinet Members and Cabinet-level officials
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Labor unions
Organizations
Newspapers

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tammy
Duckworth
Andrea
Zopp
Napoleon
Harris
Undecided
SIU Simon Institute February 15–20, 2016 422 ± 4.7% 52% 6% 4% 37%
Public Policy Polling July 20–21, 2015 409 ± 4.9% 59% 10% 31%

Results

Results by county
  Duckworth—80–90%
  Duckworth—70–80%
  Duckworth—60–70%
  Duckworth—50–60%
Democratic primary results[83]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tammy Duckworth 1,220,128 64.38%
Democratic Andrea Zopp 455,729 24.05%
Democratic Napoleon Harris 219,286 11.57%
Total votes 1,859,257 100.00%

Third party candidates

On July 6, the Green Party candidate and the Libertarian Party candidate were announced as having made the ballot for November after no objections were filed against their petitions. However, objections against two others were filed, namely: the Constitution Party candidate Chad Koppie, due to his name being on a petition slate with Constitution Party presidential candidate Darrell Castle who turned in fewer than the required petitions needed,[84] and against Independent candidate Eric Conklin. Neither Koppie nor Conklin are likely to receive ballot access after a review of their petitions.[85][86]

Constitution Party (C) (Write in)

  • Chad Koppie, farmer and vice president of Kane County Regional Board of School Trustees

Libertarian Party (L)

Green Party (G)

Independent (I)

  • Eric M. Conklin, law enforcement officer

General election

  • Mark Kirk (R), incumbent U.S. Senator
  • Tammy Duckworth (D), U.S. Representative
  • Chad Koppie (C) (Write-in)
  • Kenton McMillen (L)
  • Scott Summers (G)

Debates

Dates Location Kirk Duckworth Link
October 3, 2016 Chicago, Illinois Participant Participant Full debate - C-SPAN
October 27, 2016 Springfield, Illinois Participant Participant Full debate - C-SPAN
November 4, 2016 Chicago, Illinois Participant Participant Full debate - C-SPAN

Campaign

Kirk had multiple factors working against him, as no Republican had won an Illinois US Senate race during a presidential election year since 1972, and he had made a number of gaffes during the campaign. He had exaggerated his Iraq War record on his campaign website,[88] and during a debate, Kirk made a racially charged remark about Duckworth's familial military background.[89] Additionally, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump was unpopular in Chicago and its suburbs, and Kirk refused to endorse or vote for him, instead writing in former United States Secretary of State Colin Powell.[90] Kirk also had a mostly liberal voting record in the Senate, favoring gay marriage, an assault weapons ban, and he had voted against defunding and repealing portions of Obamacare in 2015. Due to these factors, Kirk alienated the Democratic, Independent, and Republican voters whom he had previously won over in his 2010 campaign. Unusually, the normally Republican-leaning editorial board of the Chicago Tribune endorsed Duckworth, as they believed that the health problems that Kirk had suffered as a result of his stroke made him a less effective Senator.[91] This election had been cited as historic as both major party nominees had physical disabilities.[92]

Endorsements

Mark Kirk (R)
Governors
U.S. Representatives
U.S. Senators
State Representatives
Statewide officials
Mayors
Individuals
Newspapers
Organizations
Tammy Duckworth (D)
U.S. Presidents
U.S. Vice Presidents
U.S. Cabinet Members and Cabinet-level officials
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
Labor unions
Newspapers
Organizations

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[117] Lean D (flip) November 2, 2016
Sabato's Crystal Ball[118] Likely D (flip) November 7, 2016
Rothenberg Political Report[119] Lean D (flip) November 3, 2016
Daily Kos[120] Safe D (flip) November 8, 2016
Real Clear Politics[121] Likely D (flip) November 7, 2016

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mark
Kirk (R)
Tammy
Duckworth (D)
Other Undecided
SurveyMonkey November 1–7, 2016 1,823 ± 4.6% 39% 56% 5%
SurveyMonkey October 31 – November 6, 2016 1,505 ± 4.6% 39% 56% 5%
SurveyMonkey October 28 – November 3, 2016 1,120 ± 4.6% 40% 54% 6%
SurveyMonkey October 27 – November 2, 2016 997 ± 4.6% 40% 55% 5%
SurveyMonkey October 26 – November 1, 2016 911 ± 4.6% 39% 55% 6%
SurveyMonkey October 25–31, 2016 1,003 ± 4.6% 38% 57% 5%
Emerson College October 27–30, 2016 500 ± 4.3% 36% 54% 5% 5%
Loras College Archived November 3, 2016, at the Wayback Machine October 26–27, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 34% 42% 6% 18%
The Illinois Poll - Victory Research October 16–18, 2016 1,200 ± 2.8% 39% 50% 3% 8%
GS Strategy Group (R-Kirk) October 4–5, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 37% 41% 6% 16%
Southern Illinois University Sept 27–Oct 2, 2016 865 ± 3.3% 34% 48% 8% 10%
Normington, Petts and Associates (D) September 27–29, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 37% 46% 17%
Emerson College September 19–20, 2016 700 ± 3.6% 39% 41% 11% 9%
Loras College Archived September 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine September 13–16, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 36% 41% 22%
Normington, Petts and Associates (D) August 1–4, 2016 800 ± 3.5% 37% 44% 19%
The Illinois Poll - Victory Research July 14–16, 2016 1,200 ± 2.8% 37% 46% 4% 12%
Normington, Petts and Associates (D) July 11–14, 2016 800 ± 3.5% 38% 40% 22%
Basswood Research (R) July 11–12, 2016 800 ± 3.5% 42% 40% 18%
GS Strategy Group (R-Kirk) March 30–31, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 40% 43% 17%
End Citizens United September 10–14, 2015 948 ± 3.2% 41% 45% 14%
Public Policy Polling July 20–21, 2015 931 ± 3.2% 36% 42% 22%
Ogden & Fry June 23, 2015 598 ± 4.1% 27% 44% 29%
We Ask America December 18, 2014 1,003 ± 3.0% 45% 46% 9%
Hypothetical polling
with Andrea Zopp
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Kirk (R)
Andrea
Zopp (D)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling July 20–21, 2015 931 ± 3.2% 38% 29% 32%
with Lisa Madigan
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Kirk (R)
Lisa
Madigan (D)
Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 22–25, 2013 557 ± 4.2% 41% 41% 19%
with Michelle Obama
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Kirk (R)
Michelle
Obama (D)
Undecided
Gravis Marketing March 21–22, 2014 806 ± 3.0% 47% 42% 11%
Public Policy Polling November 26–28, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 40% 51% 9%
with Pat Quinn
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Mark
Kirk (R)
Pat
Quinn (D)
Undecided
We Ask America December 18, 2014 1,003 ± 3.0% 55% 36% 9%

Results

The result was a landslide victory for Tammy Duckworth. Pre-election polling showed Kirk would be easily defeated by Duckworth, and the polls were proven right when Duckworth was declared the winner quickly after polls closed in Illinois. Duckworth performed extremely well in the heavily populated and strongly Democratic Cook County, home of Chicago. Duckworth also did well in Champaign, East St. Louis and Carbondale. Kirk did do well in rural parts of the state, but it was nowhere near enough to offset his weakness in the Chicago metropolitan area. The Chicago 'collar counties' — among them Kirk's home county of Lake County — previously voted for Kirk, but easily flipped to Duckworth. Duckworth was sworn in at 12:00 P.M. EST on January 3, 2017. The Libertarian and Green candidates polled well, winning three and two percent of the vote respectively.

United States Senate election in Illinois, 2016[122]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Tammy Duckworth 3,012,940 54.86% +8.44%
Republican Mark Kirk (incumbent) 2,184,692 39.78% −8.23%
Libertarian Kenton McMillen 175,988 3.21% +0.85%
Green Scott Summers 117,619 2.14% −1.04%
Write-in 639 0.01% -0.02%
Total votes 5,491,878 100.00% N/A
Democratic gain from Republican

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

By congressional district

District Duckworth Kirk Representative
1st 74.4% 21% Bobby Rush
2nd 77.2% 18.7% Robin Kelly
3rd 55.6% 38% Dan Lipinski
4th 76.9% 14.6% Luis Gutierrez
5th 63.8% 30.9% Mike Quigley
6th 44.2% 50.2% Peter Roskam
7th 81.5% 14.6% Danny K. Davis
8th 55.9% 38.2% Tammy Duckworth
Raja Krishnamoorthi
9th 63% 32.5% Jan Schakowsky
10th 53.3% 42.2% Robert Dold
Brad Schneider
11th 56.6% 37.3% Bill Foster
12th 52% 43.2% Mike Bost
13th 46.7% 47.2% Rodney Davis
14th 42.5% 50.8% Randy Hultgren
15th 33% 61.7% John Shimkus
16th 39.3% 53.9% Adam Kinzinger
17th 47.7% 46.3% Cheri Bustos
18th 35% 59.8% Darin LaHood


References

  1. ^ Plotkin, Mark (May 20, 2016). "Mark Kirk is your most vulnerable senator of 2016". The Hill. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  2. ^ "The most endangered Republican in the country". POLITICO. October 27, 2015. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "Mark Kirk: 'No Frickin' Way Am I Retiring'". Roll Call. November 14, 2014. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Ed O'Keefe (January 3, 2013). "Mark Kirk makes dramatic return to the Senate". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  5. ^ Matthew Cooper (June 28, 2013). "Mark Kirk Survived a Stroke--Now He's Picking Fights in Congress". National Journal. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Meredith Shiner (January 26, 2014). "Kirk's Next Challenge? Re-Election in 2016". Roll Call. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Emily Cahn (June 12, 2013). "Illinois Options Depend on Chicago Turnover Farm Team". Roll Call. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  8. ^ a b c Greg Hinz (November 11, 2014). "Mark Kirk loses chief of staff, but odds grow Duckworth won't run against him". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved November 12, 2014.
  9. ^ a b "Will the Rauner victory prompt Kirk to step aside before 2016?". Illinois Review. November 10, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  10. ^ "Speculation Grows Over Mark Kirk's Political Future". ABC Chicago. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  11. ^ Cillizza, Chris (November 9, 2014). "Can Republicans hold on to Senate majority in 2016? There's reason for doubt". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
  12. ^ "Tough Tests Looming in 2016 Raise Stakes for G.O.P. in Midterm Elections". The New York Times. April 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "The 10 states that could decide the next Senate". Politico. November 12, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  14. ^ "Here's The Democratic Route Back To Senate Control In 2016". The Huffington Post. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  15. ^ "The Seven Senate Races Democrats Should Be Optimistic About in 2016". Slate. July 3, 2014. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  16. ^ a b "10 Races to Watch in 2016: Illinois Senate". Roll Call. December 23, 2014. Archived from the original on December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  17. ^ "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  18. ^ a b "Election Results". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on February 22, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  19. ^ "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  20. ^ Hinz, Greg (October 5, 2015). "Kirk picks up primary challenger from the right". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved October 10, 2015.
  21. ^ Pearson, Rick; Dardick, Hal (November 30, 2015). "U.S. Senate, state's attorney's races take shape on last day of filing". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  22. ^ "1 of Sen. Kirk's GOP primary opponents doesn't make ballot". KTVI. January 8, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
  23. ^ "Schilling: Planned Parenthood Vote Likely to Get Mark Kirk Primaried". Illinois Review. August 7, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  24. ^ Wallace, Ron (October 9, 2015). "I dropped out of the race, because of a medical problem, in my family". Facebook. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  25. ^ "William Kelly is Back — Bashing Sen. Mark Kirk". WTAX. July 31, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  26. ^ "William J. Kelly: "I'm exploring a race for U.S. Senate against Mark Kirk"". The Illinois Insider. August 3, 2015. Archived from the original on August 9, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  27. ^ Drusch, Andrea (August 10, 2015). "Durbin Defends Kirk". National Journal. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  28. ^ Drusch, Andrea (August 10, 2015). "Schilling Calls for Kirk Challenge". National Journal. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  29. ^ Cahn, Emily (November 14, 2014). "Mark Kirk: 'No Frickin' Way Am I Retiring'". Roll Call. Archived from the original on December 29, 2014. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  30. ^ a b c Cheney, Kyle (December 29, 2014). "16 in '16: The new battle for the Senate". Politico. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  31. ^ Riopell, Mike (February 16, 2015) - "Joe Walsh Eyes Challenge to U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 17, 2015.
  32. ^ Sweet, Lynn (February 17, 2015) - "Former Rep. Joe Walsh 'Looking At' Bid to Oust Sen. Mark Kirk" Archived February 19, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  33. ^ Riopell, Mike (November 30, 2015). "Who's in, who's out in congressional primaries". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  34. ^ a b Arkin, James (January 8, 2016). "Bolton Endorses 16 for Re-Election to Congress". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  35. ^ a b "Editorial board questionnaires". www.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 27, 2016.
  36. ^ "Chicago Tribune's U.S. Senate endorsement: Mark Kirk for the Republicans". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  37. ^ a b Hobe, Marty (January 18, 2016). "Marter gains Tea Party support". The Register-Mail. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  38. ^ Riopell, Mike (December 15, 2015). "Lake sheriff backs Kirk opponent for U.S. Senate". Daily Herald. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  39. ^ "Returning from D.C. Trip, Marter Pushes Ahead to Challenge Kirk for U.S. Senate". Illinois Review. January 22, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  40. ^ "ALIPAC Endorses James Marter for US Senate Against Amnesty Supporter Mark Kirk (R-IL)". Marter for Senate. January 14, 2016. Archived from the original on January 30, 2016. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  41. ^ "Chicago Ward GOP Org Censures Kirk; Endorses GOP Challenger James Marter". Illinois Review. December 16, 2015. Retrieved January 22, 2016.
  42. ^ "Election Results GENERAL PRIMARY - 3/2/2016". Illinois State Board of Elections. March 2, 2016. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  43. ^ a b Meredith Shiner (January 27, 2014). "Kirk Vs. Duckworth for Senate in 2016?". Roll Call. Archived from the original on July 19, 2014. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  44. ^ a b Skiba, Katherine (February 12, 2015) - "4 U.S. House Democrats From Illinois Consider a Challenge to Sen. Mark Kirk". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  45. ^ Lynn Sweet (March 27, 2015). "Rep. Tammy Duckworth to announce for Senate, likely on Monday". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  46. ^ a b Skiba, Katherine (March 30, 2015). "Duckworth to Challenge Kirk for U.S. Senate". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  47. ^ Miller, Rich (January 30, 2015). "Are a policy wonk and a former NFL player ready for 2016?". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  48. ^ Hinz, Greg (October 27, 2015). "State Sen. Napoleon Harris to enter race against Mark Kirk". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  49. ^ Ahern, Mary Ann (May 15, 2015). "Andrea Zopp Decides To Run For Kirk's Senate Seat". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  50. ^ "5/28-Andrea L. Zopp Ends Dynamic Tenure at Chicago Urban League". Chicago Urban League. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  51. ^ Erin Carlson (June 6, 2014). "Tio Hardiman, Ex-Candidate for Illinois Governor, Teases a U.S. Senate Run". NBC Chicago. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  52. ^ "Ex-CeaseFire director Tio Hardiman running for Congress". WGN-TV. August 4, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  53. ^ Parish, Norman (October 15, 2015). "Activist Tio Hardiman Plans to Seek Circuit Court Clerk's Office instead of Congress". The Chicago Citizen. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved December 22, 2015.
  54. ^ "Meet Dr. Robert Marshall, U.S. Senate Candidate". WYMG. August 21, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  55. ^ Riopell, Mike (November 23, 2015). "Primary contests for Congress take shape. Who's running?". Daily Herald. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  56. ^ Paul Merrion (November 2014). "40 under 40". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved January 14, 2015.
  57. ^ Pearson, Rick (July 16, 2015). "Democratic Sen. Biss with $1.2 million to run for state comptroller". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
  58. ^ Sneed, Michael (August 4, 2015). "Sneed exclusive: Commissioner Boykin eyes Senate run". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
  59. ^ Dardick, Hal; Pearson, Rick (September 9, 2015). "Cook County commissioner opts against Democratic U.S. Senate run". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  60. ^ Sneed, Michael (May 21, 2015). "Sneed exclusive: Hillary's lunch date". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  61. ^ a b c Blake, Aaron (April 10, 2015). "Rep. Bill Foster (D-Ill.), who had been "seriously considering" an #ILSEN bid, endorses Tammy Duckworth". Twitter. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  62. ^ Pearson, Rick (April 10, 2015). "Foster Won't Run for U.S. Senate, Backs Duckworth". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  63. ^ Sweet, Lynn (June 12, 2015). "Rep. Robin Kelly will not run for Illinois Senate seat: Exclusive". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 14, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  64. ^ Lynn Sweet (June 24, 2014). "Michelle Obama nixes politics: Illinois Senate not in her future". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 8, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2014.
  65. ^ Lynn Sweet (January 24, 2015). "Duckworth, Foster, Bustos & Kelly all mull challenges to Sen. Mark Kirk". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  66. ^ a b Schlikerman, Becky (August 20, 2015). "Sen. Raoul: Zopp more qualified for Senate than Obama was". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on August 24, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  67. ^ a b c Jacobs, Julia (August 4, 2015). "Evanston Democrats show support for Tammy Duckworth's U.S. Senate bid in straw poll". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  68. ^ Eleanor Clift (March 30, 2013). "Could Michelle Obama Run for the US Senate". The Daily Beast. Retrieved July 17, 2014.
  69. ^ Hancock, Amanda (September 8, 2015). "Sheila Simon announces bid for Illinois State Senate". The Southern Illinoisan. Retrieved September 11, 2015.
  70. ^ a b Schow, Ashe (September 30, 2015). "Tammy Duckworth changes her tune on Benghazi". Washington Examiner. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  71. ^ a b Sweet, Lynn (June 4, 2015). "Sen. Durbin endorses Rep. Duckworth's Senate bid". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2015. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  72. ^ a b Kirsten Gillibrand (December 31, 2015). "Proud to support @TammyforIL @DonnaFEdwards @KamalaHarris @Maggie_Hassan @Ann_Kirkpatrick @CatherineForNV & @KatieMcGintyPA for Senate". Twitter. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  73. ^ a b c d e f g h Pearson, Rick (July 9, 2015). "Rep. Tammy Duckworth gets boost from national Senate Democratic endorsement". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  74. ^ a b Pearson, Rick (September 30, 2015). "Major union group backs Duckworth over Zopp for U.S. Senate". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  75. ^ a b "Morning Spin: Duckworth snags teachers union endorsement in U.S. Senate race". Chicago Tribune. February 1, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  76. ^ a b Sweet, Lynn (April 30, 2015). "EMILY's List endorses Duckworth; not waiting for Kelly, Zopp". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  77. ^ a b Matishak, Martin (April 8, 2015). "VoteVets gets into the 2016 race early". The Hill. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  78. ^ "Chicago Tribune's U.S. Senate endorsement: Tammy Duckworth for the Democrats". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  79. ^ a b c Schuba, Tom (February 11, 2016). "Ward Room's Race to Watch: Illinois Senate". WMAQ-TV. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  80. ^ Riopell, Mike (January 22, 2016). "Jesse Jackson to back Zopp for Senate over Duckworth, Harris". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  81. ^ KaiElz. "The Chicago Defender Endorses Andrea Zopp for U.S. Senate". chicagodefender.com. Chicago Defender. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 14, 2016.
  82. ^ "Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board 2016 primary election questionnaires". www.susntimescandidates.com. Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  83. ^ "Election Results – General Primary – 3/15/2016". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  84. ^ "June 27 is the deadline for Illinois petitions. Besides the Libertarian and Green statewide petitions, the Constitution Party and the Socialist Party also submitted presidential petitions. The latter two did not have as many as 25,000 signatures. However, if no one challenges them, they will be considered valid. A fifth petition was filed by a presidential candidate named Mary Vann, using the label "Human Rights Party"". Ballot Access News. June 27, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  85. ^ "Green Party and Libertarian Party make Illinois ballot for president; challenge filed against Constitution Party petitions". Independent Political Report. July 6, 2016. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  86. ^ "Illinois State Board of Elections Candidate List". Illinois State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on August 25, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  87. ^ a b "Greens and Libertarians choose Statewide Candidates". Illinois Herald. March 17, 2016. Archived from the original on August 2, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  88. ^ "Mark Kirk campaign site falsely calls senator 'veteran' of Iraq war". CNN. September 21, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  89. ^ "Mark Kirk apologizes for using Tammy Duckworth's Thai heritage in debate jab". CNN. October 28, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  90. ^ "Republican senator fires back at Donald Trump for saying he's 'not doing so well'". Business Insider. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  91. ^ "Tammy Duckworth for U.S. Senate from Illinois - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. October 14, 2016.
  92. ^ Slack, Donovan. "Two disabled candidates locked in historic battle". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  93. ^ "Gov. Kasich to boost Illinois Republicans: Helping Kirk, Durkin". suntimes.com. Archived from the original on July 19, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  94. ^ "Sen. Mark Kirk: 'Cannot and will not support' Donald Trump for president". Chicago Tribune. June 8, 2016. Retrieved September 17, 2016.
  95. ^ Sweet, Lynn (October 13, 2016). "Mitt Romney headlining fundraiser for Sen. Mark Kirk in Chicago". suntimes.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  96. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Kirk For Senate Announces Support From Every Corner Of Illinois - Mark Kirk for U.S. Senate - Official Campaign Site". kirkforsenate.com. March 16, 2015. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  97. ^ a b "Mark Kirk on Twitter". twitter.com. August 15, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  98. ^ a b Sweet, Lynn (December 13, 2015). "Senators Cornyn, Capito fundraising for Mark Kirk". suntimes.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  99. ^ a b Skiba, Katherine; Glanton, Dahleen; Bergen, Kathy (March 15, 2016). "Duckworth faces showdown with Kirk for U.S. Senate seat". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  100. ^ "Mark Kirk on Twitter". twitter.com. August 19, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  101. ^ "Marco Rubio Praises Senator Kirk on the Steve Cochran Show". soundcloud.com. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  102. ^ "Mark Kirk on Twitter". twitter.com. October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  103. ^ Thomas, Charles (August 22, 2016). "Gabby Giffords endorses Sen. Kirk despite controversial comment". abc7chicago.com. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  104. ^ "Mark Kirk on Twitter". twitter.com. October 3, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  105. ^ "Endorsement: Mark Kirk over Tammy Duckworth for Senate". dailyherald.com. October 15, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  106. ^ "Mark Kirk for Senate". The News-Gazette. September 30, 2016.
  107. ^ "Endorsement: U.S. Senate: Mark Kirk". nwherald.com. October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  108. ^ "Kirk has earned a second term as U.S. senator". Herald-Whig. October 9, 2016.
  109. ^ "Endorsement: US Senate, Mark Kirk". Journal Star. October 21, 2016.
  110. ^ Gass, Nick (August 22, 2016). "Giffords' anti-gun violence PAC endorses Toomey, Kirk". politico.com. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  111. ^ "Mark Kirk". 2016 Endorsements. Washington, D.C.: Humane Society Legislative Fund. Retrieved October 14, 2016. Voters in Illinois who care about animal welfare should support Sen. Kirk for re-election. ... HSLF notes that Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., has also been a strong supporter of animal protection
  112. ^ Mark Kirk [@MarkKirk] (October 11, 2016). "I'm proud of my endorsement from the @HSLegFund and my support from furry friends across #IL. #ilsen" (Tweet). Retrieved October 14, 2016 – via Twitter.
  113. ^ a b Bendery, Jennifer (April 6, 2016). "Obama, Biden endorse Tammy Duckworth for Senate". Huffington Post. Retrieved August 15, 2016.
  114. ^ Hagen, Lisa (April 29, 2016). "Elizabeth Warren stumps, raises funds for Duckworth". The Hill. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  115. ^ "Endorsement: Tammy Duckworth for U.S. Senate from Illinois". Chicago Tribune. October 14, 2016. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  116. ^ Morin, Rebecca (October 29, 2016). "Human Rights Campaign revokes Mark Kirk endorsement". Politico. Retrieved October 30, 2016.
  117. ^ "2016 Senate Race Ratings for November 2, 2016". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  118. ^ "2016 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  119. ^ "2016 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
  120. ^ "Daily Kos Election 2016 forecast: The final version". Daily Kos. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
  121. ^ "Battle for the Senate 2016". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  122. ^ "Election Results GENERAL ELECTION - 11/8/2016". Illinois State Board of Elections. November 8, 2016. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
Official campaign websites