Republican Congressman Mark Kirk beat Democrat Dan Seals in a closely watched rematch in northern Illinois.

With 76 percent of precincts reporting, Kirk had more than 54 percent and Seals had 45 percent.

The contest was one of Illinois’ marquee races. Seals is a business consultant who portrayed himself as an agent of change like fellow Democrat Barack Obama, while Kirk played up his contributions to the district.

Kirk and Seals first dueled in 2006. After comfortable margins in elections against other challengers, Kirk beat Seals then with only 53 percent of the vote.

Illinois’ 10th Congressional District is a mix of wealthy and working-class communities that border Lake Michigan and stretch north of Chicago to almost Wisconsin.