Judy Baar Topinka has emerged victorious as the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Illinois, defeating four other candidates.

Some Republicans are pleased with this outcome, but lament the road traveled to achieve these ends.

“I expected the race to be closer, I don’t know if the weather played a factor in the outcome or something, but nevertheless we now have a candidate to go against [Rod] Blagojevich. Still, I am not pleased with the negative campaign conducted by Topinka and [Jim] Oberweis, they should have instead been campaigning on ideas to solve the states problems,” said Robert Pritchard (R-Hinckley).

Gov. Rod Blagojevich has emerged victorious as the Democratic candidate for governor, defeating Edwin Eisendrath.

Despite the governor’s victory, Eisendrath’s large number of voters has shown deficiencies in the current administration.

“Eisendrath did not have a very broad campaign, I knew little of his campaign before today, but since he received such a large percentage of the vote, it stands to reason Blagojevich is losing support. Still, this will be beneficial for Blagojevich, because he needs to know who does not support him and put more effort into the situation,” said Donna Dalton, president of the College Democrats.

Republicans and Democrats rarely agree on issues, but it would seem both sides see major flaws in the Blagojevich administration.

“These results signify that people are looking for change, they are tired of pay-to-play politics and the unfulfilled promises of Blagojevich,” Pritchard said.

The 14th Congressional Race

Ruben K. Zamora squared off against John Laesch, for the Democratic nomination, but despite well-fought campaigns on both sides, Laesch won the nomination.

Zamora wished Laesch the best of luck. “Congratulations to John. We ran a strong race, but lost and that is democracy,” he said.

NIU College Democrats attribute Laesch’s success to strong campaigning, but offer some advice to Laesch in his battle against Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert in the November election.

“Laesch is a very good candidate and his campaign was better organized than Zamora. However, my advice to Laesch is to stick to the issues, Hastert has had his chance to evoke change and has not, Laesch is the candidate that’s going to bring change and people need to know that,” said Kevin Malone, vice president of the group.

Also, Dalton said, “Both campaign’s were seriously done, but Laesch was more serious and it seemed he was more determined. Still it is going to be an uphill battle, but Laesch knows what he is up against and he thinks he can win it and that is what it is going to take,” she said