The governor’s mansion in Springfield will house a Democrat for the first time in more than 25 years.

Rod Blagojevich won the race by a tight margin securing 52 percent of the votes with 99 percent of the precincts reporting. He defeated his Republican opponent Jim Ryan who tallied 45 percent of votes.

“In my heart, I have a hunka-hunka burning love,” Blagojevich sang at his acceptance speech.

A jubilant Blagojevich talked about the American dream and hard work that led him to winning the election.

“It’s not easy to break a 30-year habit, but tonight we have,” Blagojevich said of his victory.

His opponent, Republican Jim Ryan, was gracious and thanked Illinois voters for participating.

“It’s been a rough year for Republicans,” Ryan said.

Blagojevich, a former shoe-shine boy, was born in a five room apartment on Chicago’s Northwest Side and had worked his way into the Illinois governor’s office.

In a tight election mired with political mudslinging, it was only fitting that the day was overcast and rainy. Despite that, voter turnout appeared to be successful.

“We had a very good turnout,” said Arra Garab, a 16th precinct worker. That precinct reported more than 200 voters.

Both candidates sparred on television in the previous weeks, which led to unimpressive conclusions.

“I personally feel that the candidates did not do enough to tell what they were about,” said India Washington, an NIU student. “They just bashed each other, so I am not really pulling for anyone in particular.”

Blagojevich is pro-choice in regard to abortion, and for Greek Row resident Jamie Ann Wade, that was enough.

“It is a pro-choice issue for me,” Wade said. “But, I also supported party politics.”

The former 5th district congressman championed gun control, education and making the streets safer from crime.

The governor-elect also promised a lifting of the death penalty moratorium that George Ryan instituted once the Governor’s Task Force completed its investigations.

“I am not surprised he won,” said Kyle Saunders, a political science professor. “He was able to earn a lot of money early on. This allowed him to campaign early and gain name recognition.”

In his celebration speech, Blagojevich also assured voters he would expand O’Hare Airport and create more than 100,000 jobs for Chicago.

The implications of Blagojevich winning the governorship remains to be determined, but Saunders speculated it would lead to a more unified approach to state governing and a definite movement toward a democratic agenda in Illinois.