DeKALB | The gubernatorial race was called by the Associated Press just before 7 p.m. in favor of incumbent candidate Rod Blagojevich Tuesday night. Later on, results rolled in to confirm his re-election as Governor.

“I think it’s fair to say ‘I’m all shook up,'” Blagojevich said in his acceptance speech Tuesday night in reference to his love for Elvis. “Tonight the people of Illinois have spoken: ‘go back to the job at hand.'”

County Democrats gathered at the River Heights Golf Course, 1100 S. Annie Glidden Road, to await the election results.

Many who attended were not surprised by Blagojevich’s victory over Republican Judy Baar Topinka and Green candidate Rich Whitney.

“It was expected,” said County Democrats supporter Michael Siewierski. “I don’t think Judy had a chance, because pretty much everyone I talked to feel she touches base with [former Illinois governor] George Ryan still. People don’t want to go back to that,”

Suzan Porterfield, a friend of a Democrat worker and onlooker to the festivities said she was not surprised at the outcome of the race either.

“I don’t think Judy Baar Topinka was much of a challenge, for whatever reason, and the Green Party as well,” she said.

Glenda Cosenza, NIU associate professor of music education, said she thought Blagojevich would defeat the other candidates, but that there is a lot of room for improvement for the governor’s second term.

“I hope he takes to heart the voters dissatisfaction with him and reexamines his priorities,” she said. “He should be looking at the state as a whole and needs to work on refunding education. There are people who have proposed alternative ways to fund education and I think he should listen.”

There were others who chose to vote for Blagojevich, but were open with their dissatisfaction in Blagojevich’s accomplishments during his first term, particularly with education.

“We have made a lot of progress,” Blagojevich said later in his speech. “But I want the people of Illinois to know: you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

Jeff Whelan, a District County Board member, said he thought the choices were slim for this election and that Blagojevich will have to be more active in order to be a successful governor.

Others hope to see overall improvement on state affairs.

“I hope he actually cleans up his act and his administration,” said county board candidate Dawn Grivetti. “I’m really upset at the way education has been neglected.”

Cassie Pfeifer is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star and Caitlin Mullen is the State Government Reporter for the Northern Star.