2004 United States Senate election in Illinois

none March 2026 September 2023 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois Illinois presidential no 1998 United States Senate election in Illinois 1998 2010 United States Senate elections in Illinois 2010 November 2, 2004 150x150px Barack Obama Senate portrait crop.jpg Barack Obama Democratic Party (United States) 3,597,456 69.97% Alan Keyes (1).jpg Alan Keyes(replacing Jack Ryan) Republican Party (United States) 1,390,690 27.05% File:2004 United States Senate election in Illinois results map by county.svg 160px County resultsObama: #a5b0ff 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70%#584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90%Keyes: #e27f7f 50–60% U.S. Senator Peter Fitzgerald Republican Party (United States) Barack Obama Democratic Party (United States) 68.56% 18.31 pp The 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois was held on November 2, 2004. Republican incumbent Peter Fitzgerald decided to retire after one term in office. Democratic state senator and future president Barack Obama won the open seat over Alan Keyes, who was a late replacement for the original Republican nominee, investment banker Jack Ryan, who withdrew following a sex scandal. Obama's landslide victory, along with his well-received keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention during the race, launched him into national prominence and set up his 2008 election to the presidency. Primary elections were held on March 16. The open race, which was a first for this seat since 1980, drew a large and wealthy field of candidates. In total, at least 15 candidates, including seven millionaires,Davey Monica March 7, 2004 Closely watched Illinois Senate race attracts 7 candidates in millionaire range The New York Times 1.19 https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/us/closely-watched-illinois-senate-race-attracts-7-candidates-in-millionaire-range.html May 9, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20150214235759/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/07/us/closely-watched-illinois-senate-race-attracts-7-candidates-in-millionaire-range.html 2015-02-14 liveMarch 7, 2004 Candidate wealth; net worth of the richest Illinois candidates for the U.S. Senate The New York Times 1.19 https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2004/03/07/national/20040307_ILLI_GRAPH.html May 9, 2026 ran in the primary elections and spent a record sum of over $60 million, triggering the first application of the millionaires' amendment to the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002.Justice Glen October 17, 2003 In races with one deep pocket, the law tries to tailor a second The New York Times A.1 https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/17/us/in-races-with-one-deep-pocket-the-law-tries-to-tailor-a-second.html https://web.archive.org/web/20121111100707/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/10/17/us/in-races-with-one-deep-pocket-the-law-tries-to-tailor-a-second.html live 2012-11-11 May 9, 2026 In the Democratic primary, Obama came from behind in the polls to defeat a large field of opponents, including state comptroller Daniel Hynes and financier Blair Hull, with a surprisingly large majority of the vote. Ryan won the Republican nomination over a large field of Republicans, including dairy farmer Jim Oberweis, state senator Steve Rauschenberger, and businessman Andrew McKenna. Obama was the early favorite over Ryan in general election polling, but the race was overshadowed by Chicago Tribune reporting on Ryan's child custody lawsuit against his ex-wife Jeri Ryan, which included allegations that Ryan had pressured his then-wife to perform sexual acts in public. Ryan withdrew from the race on July 29, leaving Obama without a Republican opponent. Having apparently won the seat by midsummer, Obama instead focused on his keynote address in support of Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry and supporting other Democratic candidates in Illinois and throughout the country, further enhancing his rising political profile. Six weeks after Ryan's withdrawal, the Illinois Republican Party chose Keyes, a resident of Maryland with a history of landslide losses, as their replacement nominee. Keyes ran an advocacy campaign focused on social issues, and Obama maintained a strong lead in polling through Election Day. Overall, Obama outspent Keyes by over $12 million, among the largest margins in United States Senate history in both absolute and relative terms. Obama won the election with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for any U.S. Senate candidate in Illinois history and significantly larger than Kerry's 55 percent in the concurrent presidential election. Obama carried 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several rural and suburban counties where the Democratic Party had traditionally performed poorly.2008-11-16 Obama Resigns Senate Seat, Honors Illinois - CBS News https://www.cbsnews.com/news/obama-resigns-senate-seat-honors-illinois/ 2024-01-06 www.cbsnews.com en-US This was the first United States Senate election in history in which both major party candidates were African American. According to Obama's 2020 memoir A Promised Land, he promised his wife Michelle that if he lost the race, he would retire from politics.Obama Barack https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Promised_Land/qK0NEQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=a+promised+land&printsec=frontcover A Promised Land Crown 978-1-5247-6318-3 2nd 2024 44 With Michelle, I didn't sugarcoat the amount of time I'd be away. But this was it, I promised, up or out; if I lost this one, we were done with politics for good. United States 1st pub. 2020 Google Books Background The primaries and general elections coincided with those for federal offices (president and House), as well as those for state offices. 2004 Illinois elections#Turnout For the primary elections, turnout was 26.69%, with 1,904,800 votes cast.Voter Turnout https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/VoterTurnout.aspx?MID=fVf30XCcBCY%3d&T=637204877664537563 www.elections.il.gov Illinois State Board of Elections 22 March 2020 August 26, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250826050848/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/VoterTurnout.aspx?MID=fVf30XCcBCY%3D&T=637204877664537563 dead Election Results https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx www.elections.il.gov Illinois State Board of Elections 23 March 2020 22 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200222093629/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx dead For the general election, turnout was 68.56%, with 5,141,520 votes cast.Voter Turnout https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/VoterTurnout.aspx?MID=fVf30XCcBCY%3d&T=637204879738085590 www.elections.il.gov Illinois State Board of Elections 22 March 2020 May 2, 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250502212157/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/VoterTurnout.aspx?MID=fVf30XCcBCY%3D&T=637204879738085590 dead Republican primary Candidates John L. Borling, retired U.S. Air Force major general Norm Hill, Army veteran Chirinjeev Kathuria, healthcare and technology businessman Andrew McKenna, businessman and son of Andrew J. McKenna Jim Oberweis, owner of Oberweis Dairy and investment manager Steve Rauschenberger, state senator from Elgin Jack Ryan, investment banker Jonathan C. Wright, former state representative from Lincoln Declined Jim Edgar, former governor of IllinoisPearson, Rick Chase, John May 10, 2003 GOP Senate floodgates open as Edgar says no Chicago Tribune 1 paid archive https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/334607871.html?dids=334607871:334607871&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT November 4, 2008 November 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103000356/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/334607871.html?dids=334607871:334607871&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead Peter G. Fitzgerald, incumbent senator since 1999 (announced retirement April 15, 2003)Krol, Eric December 9, 2002 Why senator ending up more isolated; Fitzgerald's style has both Democrats and Republicans planning to challenge him Daily Herald (Arlington Heights) 1 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ADHB&p_theme=adhb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Why%20AND%20senator%20AND%20ending%20AND%20up%20AND%20more%20AND%20isolated&s_dispstring=Why%20senator%20ending%20up%20more%20isolated%20AND%20date(12/9/2002%20to%2012/9/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=12/9/2002%20to%2012/9/2002)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008Neal, Steve April 16, 2003 Writing was on the wall after latest Fitzgerald polls Chicago Sun-Times 55 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(Writing%20was%20on%20the%20wall)%20AND%20date(4/16/2003%20to%204/16/2003)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=4/16/2003%20to%204/16/2003)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Writing%20was%20on%20the%20wall)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008Wilgoren, Jodi April 16, 2003 Illinois Senator announces he won't seek re-election The New York Times A.10 https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9803E6D81E3BF935A25757C0A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all November 4, 2008 In this campaign, Chirinjeev Kathuria became the first Indian American and the first Sikh to run for United States Senate.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3175017.stm Sikh bids for US history BBC Clarke Rachel August 25, 2003 August 8, 2026 Campaign The Republican primary began in earnest on April 15, 2003, when one-term incumbent Peter G. Fitzgerald announced his retirement.https://edition.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/04/15/fitzgerald.resigns/ Fitzgerald announces he won't seek second term in Senate CNN Mercurio John April 15, 2003 August 7, 2026 Fitzgerald had developed a reputation as a maverick and a political moderate over his time in office, frequently clashing with fellow Republicans such as Governor George Ryan and United States House Speaker Dennis Hastert.https://www.nprillinois.org/education-desk/2003-06-01/state-of-the-state-story-of-fitzgerald-depends-on-the-narrators-perspective State of the State: Story of Fitzgerald depends on the narrator's perspective NPR Illinois Chambers Aaron June 1, 2003 August 7, 2026 Despite commissioning polling that showed him handily defeating all potential primary challengers and all potential Democratic opponents, Fitzgerald believed his poor relationship with Republican leadership would have forced him to self-finance his re-election, something he did not want to do. His retirement was a blow to Republican senate leadership, which had backed Fitzgerald's re-election out of a belief that he was best placed to hold the seat. At the time of his announcement, Fitzgerald had at least six Democratic opponents and at least three Republicans were threatening to challenge him in the primary. After Fitzgerald's retirement and Edgar's decision, investment banker Jack Ryan was an early favorite for the party's nomination. Ryan was a proponent of broad tax reductions and tort reform, an effort to limit payout in medical malpractice lawsuits. He was also a proponent of school choice and supported vouchers for private school students. However, he was dogged throughout the campaign by his high-profile divorce from actress Jeri Ryan; the Chicago Tribune and local American Broadcasting Company affiliate WLS-TV sought repeatedly to unseal his divorce records during the primary. On March 3, shortly before the primary, Ryan's opponents urged him to release the records; both Ryan and his wife agreed to unseal their divorce records but preserve the court seal on their child custody dispute, claiming that the records could be harmful to their son if released.Fornek, Scott; Herrmann, Andrew. “Senate rivals urge Ryan to unseal divorce records”, Chicago Sun-Times (March 4, 2004).Davey Monica https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9400E4D61431F934A25750C0A9629C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all From Crowded Field, Democrats Choose State Legislator to Seek Senate Seat The New York Times March 17, 2004 Ryan's leading opponent in the polls was dairy farmer Jim Oberweis, who had run for Senate in 2002 and finished second in the Republican primary. Oberweis's 2004 campaign was notable for a television commercial where he flew in a helicopter over Soldier Field and claimed enough illegal immigrants entered the United States per week to fill the stadium's 61,500 seats.http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/jobs/promo/chi-0402250162feb25,0,5406125.story February 25, 2004 Oberweis ads rile immigrant groups Chicago Tribune Liam Ford Oscar Avila dead https://web.archive.org/web/20080906115543/http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/jobs/promo/chi-0402250162feb25,0,5406125.story September 6, 2008http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/653706,2_1_AU16_OBERWEIS_S1.article Oberweis: hard line on immigration Andres Salles The Beacon News November 16, 2007 Oberweis was also fined $21,000 by the Federal Election Commission for a commercial for his dairy that ran during the campaign. The FEC ruled that the commercial wrongly benefited his campaign and constituted a corporate contribution on behalf of the dairy, thus violating campaign law.cbs2chicago.com - Oberweis Fined For Funding Campaign With Dairy Ad https://web.archive.org/web/20071214162905/http://cbs2chicago.com/topstories/Jim.Oberweis.U.2.338635.html December 14, 2007 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error JackRyan JimOberweis SteveRauschenberger AndrewMcKenna JonathanWright JohnBorling NormHill ChirinjeevKathuria Other UndecidedChicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/03/09/obama-ryan-out-front-2/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250626105432/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/03/09/obama-ryan-out-front-2/ 2025-06-26 live subscription Obama, Ryan out front Chicago Tribune March 9, 2004 May 8, 2026WGNMarch 3–6, 2004580 (LV)± 4.0%32%11%8%10%1%2%<1%<1%–35%Rasmussen ReportsSouthtownMarch 3, 2004– (LV)–44%18%4%10%––––6%18%Chicago Tribunehttps://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4442628 https://web.archive.org/web/20220126051638/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4442628 January 26, 2022 Lots of choices in Illinois Senate race Mark Murray NBC News March 4, 2004 May 13, 2025WGNFebruary 11–17, 2004– (LV)–30%12%4%8%–––––43%Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/01/15/senate-chase-remains-murky/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250828010602/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/01/15/senate-chase-remains-murky/ 2025-08-28 Senate chase remains murky Chicago Tribune January 15, 2004 live subscription May 8, 2026WGNJanuary 6–11, 2004503 (LV)± 4.5%12%16%5%5%–––––57%Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/10/27/illinois-undecided-on-bush-challenger/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250626121245/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2003/10/27/illinois-undecided-on-bush-challenger/ 2025-06-26 Illinois undecided on Bush challenger Chicago Tribune October 27, 2003 live subscription May 8, 2026WGNOctober 15–20, 2003450 (LV)± 5.0%20%11%4%3%––1%–4%58% Debate + 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois Republican primary debate No. Number Date Host Moderator Link Republican Republican Republican Republican Republican RepublicanKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant  black #FFFFDD  A  Absent  black #ff9090  N  Not invited  black #CCFFCC  I  Invited #f0e68c W Withdrawn John L. Borling Chirinjeev Kathuria Andrew McKenna Jim Oberweis Steve Rauschenberger Jack Ryan1 Jan. 29, 2004 City Club of Chicago Paul Green YouTube P P P P P P Endorsements top John Borling Federal officials John McCain, U.S. senator from Arizona bottom top Chirinjeev Kathuria Organizations Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization bottom top Andrew McKenna Executive officials Samuel K. Skinner, former White House chief of staff and former United States secretary of transportation Federal officials Ray LaHood, U.S. representative from IL-18 State officials Greg Baise, businessman and former Illinois secretary of transportation Tyrone C. Fahner, former attorney general of Illinois Individuals Pat Ryan, businessman Organizations Illinois Right to Life bottom top Steve Rauschenberger Federal officials Henry Hyde, U.S. representative from IL-06 Individuals Tom Roeser, newspaper columnist and radio broadcaster Newspapers & publications Chicago Tribune Daily Herald bottom top Jack Ryan Executive officials William Bennett, former United States secretary of education Jack Kemp, former U.S. secretary of housing and urban development Newspapers & publications Chicago Sun-Times bottom top Jonathan C. Wright State officials Bill Mitchell, Illinois state representative from the 87th district Art Tenhouse, Illinois state representative from the 96th district bottom Results thumb|160px|Results by county Map legend #E27F7F Ryan—50–60% #FFB2B2 Ryan—40–50% #FFC8CD Ryan—30–40% #FFCCA9 Oberweis—30–40% #b4ffe5 Rauschenberger—30–40% #7ee5c1 Rauschenberger—40–50% #47cc9d Rauschenberger—50–60% #ffd670 McKenna—30–40% #BDD3FF Wright—30–40% #A5B0FF Wright—40–50% Republican primary results Republican Party (United States) Jack Ryan 234,791 35.5% Republican Party (United States) Jim Oberweis 155,794 23.5% Republican Party (United States) Steve Rauschenberger 132,655 20.0% Republican Party (United States) Andrew McKenna 97,238 14.7% Republican Party (United States) Jonathan C. Wright 17,189 2.6% Republican Party (United States) John L. Borling 13,390 2.0% Republican Party (United States) Norm Hill 5,637 0.9% Republican Party (United States) Chirinjeev Kathuria 5,110 0.8% 661,804 100.0% Democratic primary Candidates Declared Gery Chico, former president of the Chicago Board of Education Blair Hull, financial technology executive Daniel Hynes, state comptroller Estella Johnson Hunt (write-in) Barack Obama, state senator from Hyde Park, Chicago and candidate for Illinois's 1st congressional district in 2000 Maria Pappas, Cook County treasurer Nancy Skinner, radio personality Joyce Washington, health care executive Withdrew Matt O'Shea, mayor of Metamora (endorsed Chico)Quigley Kelly O'Shea backs out of Senate race December 1, 2003 Crain's Chicago Business Chicago, Illinois http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20031201/NEWS02/200010837/oshea-backs-out-of-senate-race August 4, 2017http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-112647827/mr-obama-go-washington.html Black Enterprise Will Mr. Obama go to Washington? Illinois state legislator seeks to become only black U.S. senator.(Washington Report) February 1, 2004 Declined Carol Moseley Braun, former U.S. senator (199399) Campaign thumb |upright=1.2|Obama float at the 2004 Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic Early speculation on the Democratic side, prior to Fitzgerald's withdrawal, centered on Fitzgerald's predecessor, Carol Moseley Braun.Mihalopoulos Dan Chance for 2nd act on national stage https://www.newspapers.com/image/232002120 Newspapers.com Chicago Tribune 15 May 2021 en subscription 14 Feb 2003 However, she declined to seek the nomination on January 17, 2003. Barack Obama, a member of the Illinois Senate since 1997 who had unsuccessfully challenged U.S. representative Bobby Rush in the 2000 Democratic primary, had already launched a campaign fundraising committee in July 2002,Neal, Steve July 3, 2002 Obama could add drama to Senate race Chicago Sun-Times 41 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(Obama)%20AND%20date(7/3/2002%20to%207/3/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=7/3/2002%20to%207/3/2002)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Obama)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008 and two months later had David Axelrod lined up to do his campaign media.September 1, 2002 No shortage of candidates for U.S. Senate run in '04 The State Journal-Register 15 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=JR&p_theme=jr&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Obama%20AND%20Axelrod&s_dispstring=Obama%20Axelrod%20AND%20date(9/1/2002%20to%209/1/2002)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=9/1/2002%20to%209/1/2002)&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008 Obama formally announced his candidacy on January 21, 2003, four days after Moseley Braun's announcement.Pearson, Rick Chase, John January 22, 2003 Legislator in race to unseat Fitzgerald; Democrat seeks 2004 nomination for U.S. Senate Chicago Tribune 4 (Metro) paid archive https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/279331161.html?dids=279331161:279331161&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT November 4, 2008 October 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024141029/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/279331161.html?dids=279331161:279331161&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT deadKrol, Eric January 18, 2003 Ex-senator doesn't want rematch with Fitzgerald Daily Herald (Arlington Heights) 11 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ADHB&p_theme=adhb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Ex-senator&s_dispstring=Ex-senator%20AND%20date(1/18/2003%20to%201/18/2003)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=1/18/2003%20to%201/18/2003)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008Zorn, Eric January 18, 2003 Moseley-Braun gives Democrats reason for hope Chicago Tribune 15 (Metro) paid archive https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/278226871.html?dids=278226871:278226871&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT November 4, 2008 November 3, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121103000346/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/278226871.html?dids=278226871:278226871&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead As the Democratic primary field firmed up by November 2003, Roll Call cited Obama, Illinois comptroller Daniel Hynes and multimillionaire securities trader Blair Hull as frontrunners. Obama was considered charismatic, and his status as the only prominent black candidate in the race and strength with "lakefront liberals" were expected to give him a solid political base. Hynes was expected to have strong backing from labor unions and the party establishment broadly, as well as name recognition from being elected statewide. Hull was considered a contender given his promise to spend $20 million on his bid. Of the other candidates, Roll Call cited Gery Chico for his strong fundraising and Maria Pappas for her name recognition, but neither were considered likely victors.https://rollcall.com/2003/11/07/midwest/ Midwest Roll Call November 7, 2003 August 10, 2026 Obama touted his legislative experience and early public opposition to the Iraq War to distinguish himself from his Democratic primary rivals. Although Hynes won the endorsement of the AFL-CIO, Obama won the support of three of the state's largest and most active member unions: the AFSCME, the SEIU, and the Illinois Federation of Teachers. Obama had the endorsements of four sitting members of the United States House of Representatives (Jesse Jackson Jr., Danny Davis, Lane Evans, and Jan Schakowsky); Blair Hull (Bobby Rush and Luis Gutiérrez) and Dan Hynes (Jerry Costello and Bill Lipinski) each had two. Rahm Emanuel remained neutral. In the final three weeks of the campaign, Obama surged into the lead after he finally began advertising on Chicago television, which was expanded to downstate Illinois during the last six days of the campaign. The ads included strong endorsements by the state's five largest newspapers—the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Rockford Register Star, and Journal Star—and a testimonial by Sheila Simon, daughter of the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon, who had planned to endorse and campaign for Obama before his unexpected death in December 2003. Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error BarackObama DanielHynes BlairHull MariaPappas GeryChico NancySkinner JoyceWashington UndecidedChicago TribuneWGNMarch 3–6, 2004602 (LV)± 4.0%33%19%16%8%6%1%1%16%Rasmussen Reportshttps://opensiuc.lib.siu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=ppi_papers The Making of a Senator: Barack Obama and the 2004 Illinois Senate Race John S. Jackson Southern Illinois University Carbondale August 2006 May 15, 2025SouthtownMarch 3, 2004– (LV)–28%22%23%10%3%1%3%11%Rasmussen ReportsSouthtownFebruary 19, 2004– (LV)–17%17%27%14%5%2%1%16%Chicago TribuneWGNFebruary 11–17, 2004– (LV)–15%11%24%9%5%–1%34%Chicago TribuneWGNJanuary 6–11, 2004528 (LV)± 4.5%14%14%10%14%6%––38%Chicago TribuneWGNOctober 15–20, 2003450 (LV)± 5.0%9%12%6%16%6%3%2%45%10%15%6%–8%4%3%54% Debate + 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois Democratic primary debate No. Number Date Host Moderator Link Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic Democratic DemocraticKey:black #90ff90  P  Participant  black #FFFFDD  A  Absent  black #ff9090  N  Not invited  black #CCFFCC  I  Invited #f0e68c W Withdrawn Gery Chico Daniel Hynes Barack Obama Maria Pappas Nancy Skinner Joyce Washington1 Jan. 28, 2004 City Club of Chicago Paul Green YouTube P P P P P P Endorsements top Gery Chico State officials Susana Mendoza, Illinois state representative from the 1st district Local officials Edward M. Burke, Chicago city alderman from the 14th Ward Ricardo Muñoz, Chicago city alderman from the 22nd Ward Bernard Stone, vice mayor of Chicago and Chicago city alderman from the 50th Ward Paul Vallas, former CEO of Chicago Public SchoolsHenderson Harold March 12, 2004 15 Candidates! We Can Help—The Reader's Guide to the Big Showdown Chicago Reader 1 https://chicagoreader.com/news/the-readers-guide-to-the-2004-illinois-senate-primary/ January 24, 2009 et al. Individuals Neil Bluhm, businessman bottom top Blair Hull Federal officials Cardiss Collins, former U.S. representative from IL-07 Luis Gutiérrez, U.S. representative from IL-04 Bobby Rush, U.S. representative from IL-01https://time.com/archive/6684637/obama-how-he-learned-to-win/ Obama: How He Learned to Win Time Weisskopf Michael May 8, 2008 July 23, 2026 Local officials Richard Mell, former vice mayor of Chicago and Chicago city alderman from the 33rd Ward bottom top Daniel Hynes State officials Tom Hynes, former President of the Illinois Senate (candidate's father) Mike Madigan, Speaker of the Illinois House of RepresentativesHynes takes low-key road in Senate bid https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/01/11/hynes-takes-low-key-road-in-senate-bid/ Chicago Tribune January 11, 2004 July 23, 2026 Local officials John P. Daley, Cook County commissioner John Stroger, Cook County Board president Labor unions AFL-CIO International Brotherhood of TeamstersFinnegan William May 31, 2004 The Candidate. How far can Barack Obama go? The New Yorker 32–38 https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/05/31/040531fa_fact1?currentPage=all December 14, 2009 bottom top Barack Obama Executive officials Abner Mikva, former White House counsel and former U.S. Rrpresentative from IL-10 Newton N. Minow, former chairman of the Federal Communications Commissionhttps://forward.com/news/8767/illinois-senate-candidates-eyeing-state-s-jewish/ Illinois Senate Candidates Eyeing State’s Jewish Voters The Forward Kessler E.J. May 9, 2003 July 23, 2026 Federal officials Danny Davis, U.S. representative from IL-07 Lane Evans, U.S. representative from IL-17 Jesse Jackson Jr., U.S. senator from IL-02 Jan Schakowsky, U.S. representative from IL-09 Paul Simon, former U.S. senator from Illinois (deceased) State officials Miguel del Valle, Illinois state senator from the 2nd district Emil Jones, president of the Illinois Senate Local officials Sheila Simon, Carbondale city councillor and daughter of Paul Simon Individuals David Axelrod, political consultant Michael Jordan, basketball player Michelle Obama, attorney (candidate's wife) R. Eugene Pincham, former judge of the Appellate Court of Illinoishttps://jonathantilove.com/meet-barack-obama/ Meet Barack Obama Newhouse News Service Tilove Jonathan March 17, 2004 July 24, 2026 Penny Pritzker, businesswoman Alan Solow, consultant and lawyer Studs Terkel, writer, historian and radio broadcasterhttps://www.economist.com/united-states/2004/03/11/money-and-brains Money and brains: Would Obama do better as O'Bama? The Economist March 11, 2014 July 23, 2026 Jeremiah Wright, pastor Labor unions American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Illinois Federation of Teachers Service Employees International Union Organizations Independent Voters of Illinois-Independent Precinct Organization Planned Parenthood Illinois Newspapers & publications Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Tribune St. Louis Post-Dispatchhttps://www.stlpr.org/other/2004-03-15/il-candidates-for-u-s-senate-making-final-pitch IL Candidates for U.S. Senate Making Final Pitch St. Louis Public Radio Weber Tom March 15, 2004 July 23, 2026 bottom top Declined to endorse State officials Rod Blagojevich, governor of Illinois bottom Results On March 16, 2004, Obama won the Democratic primary by an unexpected landslide—receiving 53% of the vote, 29% ahead of his nearest Democratic rival, with a vote total that nearly equaled that of all eight Republican candidates combined—which overnight made him a rising star in the national Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir, Dreams from My Father. The Democratic primary election, including seven candidates who combined to spend over $46 million, was the most expensive U.S. Senate primary election in history. thumb|160px|Results by county Map legend #6674DE Obama—60–70% #7996E2 Obama—50–60% #A5B0FF Obama—40–50% #BDD3FF Obama—30–40% #ACF2F2 Hynes—30–40% #7DDDDD Hynes—40–50% #51C2C2 Hynes—50–60% #2AACAC Hynes—60–70% #009696 Hynes—70–80% #FFC5DA Hull—30–40% #FFAACC Hull—40–50% #FF80B2 Hull—50–60% Democratic primary resultsElection Vote Totals Results https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx www.elections.il.gov Illinois State Board of Elections 14 September 2020 22 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200222093629/https://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionOperations/ElectionVoteTotals.aspx dead Democratic Party (United States) Barack Obama 655,923 52.8% Democratic Party (United States) Daniel W. Hynes 294,717 23.7% Democratic Party (United States) M. Blair Hull 134,453 10.8% Democratic Party (United States) Maria Pappas 74,987 6.0% Democratic Party (United States) Gery Chico 53,433 4.3% Democratic Party (United States) Nancy Skinner 16,098 1.3% Democratic Party (United States) Joyce Washington 13,375 1.1% Democratic Party (United States) Estella Johnson-Hunt (write-in) 10 0.0% 1,242,996 100.0% General election Candidates Al Franzen, retired union leader from HinckleyRadio Northern Public 2004-09-16 DeKalb County Man Runs for Senate https://www.northernpublicradio.org/2004-09-16/dekalb-county-man-runs-for-senate 2026-08-10 Northern Public Radio: WNIJ and WNIU en2004 Election Coverage: Independent Illinois U.S. Senate Candidate Albert Franzen https://www.wbez.org/eight-forty-eight/2004/07/27/2004-election-coverage-independent-illinois-u-s-senate-candidate-albert-franzen 2026-08-10 WBEZ en-US (Independent) Alan Keyes, conservative activist, former U.S. assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs, and candidate for president of the United States in 1996 and 2000 (Republican) Jerry Kohn, Oak Lawn high school economics and government teacher2004 Election Coverage: Libertarian Illinois U.S. Senate Candidate Jerry Kohn https://www.wbez.org/eight-forty-eight/2004/07/27/2004-election-coverage-libertarian-illinois-u-s-senate-candidate-jerry-kohn 2026-08-10 WBEZ en-US (Libertarian) Barack Obama, state senator from Hyde Park, Chicago and candidate for Illinois's 1st congressional district in 2000 (Democratic) Withdrew Jack Ryan, investment banker (Republican) (suspended campaign June 25; withdrew July 29) Campaign Obama vs. Ryan Ryan trailed Obama in early polls and suffered an early setback after the Tribune reported that a Ryan campaign staffer tracked Obama's appearances.David Mendell Ryan aide to give Obama more space http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0405230433may23,1,3572265.story Chicago Tribune May 23, 2004 February 11, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20071205204729/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0405230433may23,1,3572265.story December 5, 2007 dead mdy Although Obama acknowledged that campaign tracking is standard practice in politics, the aggressive use of the tactic by the Ryan campaign was criticized in the Tribune. Ryan's spokesman apologized and promised that the tracker would give Obama more space. Obama said he was satisfied with Ryan's decision. As the campaign progressed, the Tribune lawsuit seeking to unseal the Ryans' child custody files continued. The Obama campaign emailed reporters about the story while refraining from on-the-record commentary. On March 29, Los Angeles County Superior Court judge Robert Schnider ruled that a court-appointed referee would decide which custody files should remain sealed to protect the interests of the couple's young child.Ford Liam http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/specials/elections/chi-0403300182mar30,1,7640086.story Some Ryan divorce files should be unsealed Chicago Tribune March 30, 2004 A few days later, Obama changed his position, calling on Democrats not to make the Ryans' divorce a campaign issue.Fornek Scott http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(Obama:%20Back%20off%20divorce%20files)%20AND%20date(4/3/2004%20to%204/3/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=4/3/2004%20to%204/3/2004)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Obama:%20Back%20off%20divorce%20files)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no Obama: Back off divorce files Chicago Sun-Times April 3, 2004 On June 22, after receiving the referee's report, Schnider publicly released those files that were deemed consistent with the interests of the Ryans' son. The released files included allegations by Jeri Ryan that Jack Ryan had taken her to sex clubs in several cities, intending for them to have sex in public.Stephen Kinzer Stephen Kinzer Jo Napolitano Illinois Senate Campaign Thrown Into Prurient Turmoil https://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/23/us/illinois-senate-campaign-thrown-into-prurient-turmoil.html The New York Times June 23, 2004 January 1, 2020http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/politics/20040622-0304-illinoissenate.html Illinois Republican vows to stay in Senate race despite embarrassing allegations August 12, 2007 June 22, 2004 Lannan Maura Kelly SignOnSanDiego Associated Press Schnider's decision was immediately controversial, because the release went against both parties' direct request and reversed the earlier decision to seal all files in the best interest of the child. Oberweis, Ryan's primary opponent, questioned whether the allegations had any public merit, remarking, "These are allegations made in a divorce hearing, and we all know people tend to say things that aren't necessarily true in divorce proceedings when there is money involved and custody of children involved." Although some initial reaction sympathized with the couple, the sensational and sexual nature of the allegations made the revelations fodder for tabloid newspapers and television programs. The files also raised questions about whether Ryan had accurately described the documents to Republican leadership. Prior to release of the documents, Ryan had reportedly told leading Republicans that "five percent" of the divorce file could cause problems for his campaign.Martinez Michael Pearson Rick http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0406180364jun18,1,3423709.story Court sets release of Ryan's divorce file Chicago Tribune June 18, 2004 After the documents were released, Republican officials including state party chair Judy Baar Topinka said they felt Ryan had misleadingly indicated the divorce records would not be embarrassing.Pearson Rick Ford Liam http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0406230356jun23,1,998870.story?coll=chi-homepagepromo451-fea GOP leaders say they felt misled on Ryan file Chicago Tribune June 23, 2004 Some Republicans called for Ryan to withdraw from the race, and his campaign effectively ended less than a week after the records were unsealed, on June 25. Topinka, who was considering running herself, claimed that his decision was "a personal one" and that the state party had not pressured him to withdraw.Ford Liam Bush Rudolph http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0406260116jun26,1,277974.story?coll=chi-news-hed Ryan Quits Race Chicago Tribune June 26, 2004 Ryan officially filed documentation to withdraw his name from the ballot on July 29, leaving the Republican Party without a candidate and Obama effectively unopposed. As the Ryan campaign collapsed, Obama delivered the keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention on July 27. The speech was widely praised and pushed Obama into national political stardom. Obama vs. Keyes Over the next month, Edgar, Topinka, and former Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka all declined to run.July 14, 2004 https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ditka-spikes-illinois-senate-run/ Ditka Spikes Illinois Senate Run Associated Press CBS News Orion Samuelson was prepared to accept the nomination but abandoned those plans under a doctor's orders.Bergmeier Dave 2024-03-29 Ag broadcasting giant Samuelson turns 90 https://hpj.com/2024/03/29/ag-broadcasting-giant-samuelson-turns-90/ 2025-01-29 High Plains Journal en-US Eventually, the Republican state committee settled on Alan Keyes, a former State Department official who had lost two earlier bids for U.S. Senate in his home state of Maryland and two bids for the Republican nomination for president in 1996 and 2000. Although Keyes was nationally known, he had few ties to Illinois, an unsuccessful electoral track record, and no momentum in the race.August 9, 2004 http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/08/08/senate.illinois.keyes/index.html Keyes challenges Obama for Illinois Senate seat CNNNovember 2004 https://www.oprah.com/omahazine/oprah-winfrey-interviews-barack-obama Oprah Talks To Barack Obama Oprah.com Winfrey Oprah Oprah Winfrey Obama Barack Barack Obama August 10, 2020 The local and national media lambasted Keyes for his parachute candidacy. The Chicago Tribune published a scathing editorial, calling Keyes a "rent-a-senator" and sarcastically spelling out local geography for a candidate they suspected had no familiarity with the area: "Keyes may have noticed a large body of water as he flew into O'Hare. That is called Lake Michigan. It's large. It's wide. It's deep. And we'll spoil the surprise: You can't even see across it."https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/08/06/the-gops-rent-a-senator/ Commentary: The GOP's rent-a-senator January 21, 2013 August 6, 2004 Chicago Tribune The New York Times published an editorial decrying Keyes's "rank hypocrisy", recalling that four years earlier, he had attacked Hillary Clinton for establishing residency in New York only two months before announcing her own U.S. Senate campaign in that state.https://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/10/opinion/10tue2.html Plan B for Illinois August 10, 2004 The New York Times December 25, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20111228091458/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/10/opinion/10tue2.html December 28, 2011 Obama and Keyes differed on many issues including school vouchers and tax cuts, both of which Keyes supported and Obama opposed. Keyes attacked Obama for voting against a bill that would have outlawed a form of late-term abortion.Robinson Mike https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna5654128 Keyes assails Obama's abortion views NBC News Associated Press December 27, 2009 August 9, 2004 Race became an issue in the contest when Keyes claimed that he was the true "African-American" in the race. (Ultimately, 92 percent of Black voters in Illinois would vote for Obama.)Omiunota N. Ukpokodu Peter Otiato Ojiambo Erasing Invisibility, Inequity and Social Injustice of Africans in the Diaspora and the Continent https://books.google.com/books?id=ljI9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA113 2017 113 Cambridge Scholars 9781527504165Andra Gillespie Andra Gillespie Whose Black Politics?: Cases in Post-Racial Black Leadership https://books.google.com/books?id=GnKQAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA143 2010 Routledge 143–44 9781135851088 Obama largely ignored Keyes, leveraging his huge lead in polls to campaign outside of Illinois in support of other Democratic candidates, transfer large sums of campaign funds to other candidates and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, and sending many of his volunteers to work on other races, including that of Melissa Bean, who ultimately defeated longtime incumbent Phil Crane in the Chicago suburbs.Alan Keyes Archives, 2004 Illinois Debates https://web.archive.org/web/20070225055002/http://www.keyesarchives.com/debates.htm February 25, 2007 Campaign spending The gap in spending by the two campaigns–$14,244,768 by Obama, and $2,545,325 by Keyes–was among the largest in United States Senate history in both absolute and relative terms.https://archive.org/details/electio_xxx_2006_00_4209/page/195 Jacobson Gary C. The First Congressional Elections After BCRA The Election After Reform: Money, Politics, and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act Rowman and Littlefield 978-0742538702 195 March 30, 2006 October 27, 2012 subscription Predictions Source Ranking As of Sabato's Crystal BallThe Final Predictions Larry J. Sabato https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/ljs2004110101/ Sabato's Crystal Ball November 1, 2004 May 2, 2021 Safe D Flip November 1, 2004 Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error AlanKeyes (R) BarackObama (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSAhttps://www.surveyusa.com/2004_Elections/IL041030pressen.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20041222170806/https://www.surveyusa.com/2004_Elections/IL041030pressen.pdf December 22, 2004 Democrats Kerry and Obama Coast to Easy Wins in Illinois SurveyUSA October 30, 2004 May 9, 2025WBBMKSDK Poll conducted for WBBM-TV and KSDK-TVOctober 27–29, 2004655 (LV)± 3.9%27%66%5%1%Research 2000http://realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/il_polls.html https://web.archive.org/web/20041108184929/http://realclearpolitics.com/Presidential_04/il_polls.html November 8, 2004 Illinois 2004 Polls RealClearPolitics May 9, 2025October 27–28, 2004600 (LV)± 4.0%25%67%–8%Research 2000 http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/voterinfo.nsf/story/A05A9A64F47D301286256F3B000BEC4D?OpenDocument& https://web.archive.org/web/20060107201213/http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/special/voterinfo.nsf/story/A05A9A64F47D301286256F3B000BEC4D?OpenDocument& January 7, 2006 Illinois state issues survey St. Louis Post-Dispatch October 27, 2004 May 8, 2026STLKMOVOctober 21–23, 2004800 (LV)± 3.5%25%67%–8%Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/10/24/democrats-grip-on-state-firm/ Democrats' grip on state firm https://web.archive.org/web/20250815221558/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/10/24/democrats-grip-on-state-firm/ 2025-08-15 Chicago Tribune October 24, 2004 May 9, 2026 live subscriptionWGNOctober 16–19, 2004700 (LV)± 4.0%19%66%6%9%SurveyUSAhttp://www.surveyusa.com/2004_Elections/IL041007pressen.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20041108174253/http://www.surveyusa.com/2004_Elections/IL041007pressen.pdf November 8, 2004 Illinois Swings Back Solidly to Democrats, Kerry up 16 Pts SurveyUSA October 10, 2004 May 9, 2025WBBMKSDKOctober 4–6, 2004636 (LV)± 4.0%23%68%7%2%Rasmussen Reportshttp://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsindex/07-ds1.htm https://web.archive.org/web/20041014005132/http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/dsindex/07-ds1.htm October 14, 2004 Illinoisans don't like Alan Keyes – Daily Southtown poll shows a third of state's Republicans voting for Obama Kristen McQueary Daily Southtown October 7, 2004 May 9, 2025Southtown Poll sponsored by Daily SouthtownOctober 5, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%20%64%7%Albert Franzen (I) with 4%; Jerry Kohn (L) with 3%9%Research 2000http://week.com/election/election-read.asp?id=5843 https://web.archive.org/web/20041213225300/http://week.com/election/election-read.asp?id=5843 December 13, 2004 Poll Says Kerry By Wide Margin In Illinois WEEK-TV October 5, 2004 May 9, 2025October 3–4, 2004600 (LV)± 4.0%24%69%–7%Chicago Tribunehttps://www.dailykos.com/stories/2004/9/26/53755/- New poll - Obama 68 - Keyes *17* Daily Kos September 26, 2004 May 9, 2025WGNSeptember 17–20, 2004700 (LV)± 4.0%17%68%3%12%Research 2000https://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/09/20/Obama-sits-on-historic-45-point-lead/53431095708675/ Obama sits on historic 45-point lead United Press International September 20, 2004 May 9, 2025STLKMOV Poll sponsored by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and KMOV-TVSeptember 14–16, 2004800 (LV)± 3.5%23%68%–9%Chicago Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/08/22/obama-holds-41-point-lead-over-keyes/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250827213801/https://www.chicagotribune.com/2004/08/22/obama-holds-41-point-lead-over-keyes/ 2025-08-27 Obama holds 41-point lead over Keyes Chicago Tribune August 22, 2004 May 9, 2026 live subscriptionWGNAugust 13–16, 2004700 (LV)± 4.0%24%65%–11%SurveyUSAhttp://www.surveyusa.com/2004_Elections/IL040809senatematchup.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20041108174243/http://www.surveyusa.com/2004_Elections/IL040809senatematchup.pdf November 8, 2004 Welcome to Illinois Mr. Keyes; You're Down 39 Points on Day 1 SurveyUSA August 9, 2004 May 9, 2025August 8–6, 2004612 (RV)± 4.0%28%67%–5% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); Jack Ryan vs. Barack Obama Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Marginof error JackRyan (R) BarackObama (D) Other UndecidedChicago Tribunehttps://www.foxnews.com/story/poll-obama-leads-ryan-in-ill-senate-race Poll: Obama Leads Ryan in Ill. Senate Race Fox News June 1, 2004 May 9, 2025WGN Poll conducted for WGN-TVMay 21–24, 2004600 (RV)± 4.0%30%52%–8%Rasmussen Reportshttps://www.upi.com/Top_News/2004/05/18/Obamas-lead-down-to-8-points-in-Ill/79221084910245/ Obama's lead down to 8 points in Ill. United Press International May 18, 2004 May 9, 2025SouthtownMay 12, 2004500 (LV)± 4.5%40%48%–12% Results The race was one of the first to be called on Election Day.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/IL/S/01/index.html America Votes 2004: U.S. Senate/Illinois August 12, 2007 CNNright 200px Swing by county Legend #00a1c8 Democratic — +>15% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5-15% #09ceff Democratic — +10-12.5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5-5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 200px Trend by county Legend #00a1c8 Democratic — +>15% #00bdec Democratic — +12.5-15% #09ceff Democratic — +10-12.5% #77e3ff Democratic — +5-7.5% #aaeeff Democratic — +2.5-5% #d5f6ff Democratic — +0-2.5% #ffd5d5 Republican — +0-2.5% #ffaaaa Republican — +2.5-5% #ff8080 Republican — +5-7.5% #ff5555 Republican — +7.5-10% #ff2a2a Republican — +10-12.5% #ff0000 Republican — +12.5-15% #d40000 Republican — +>15% 200px County flips Legend Democratic #92c5de Hold #0671b0 Gain from Republican Republican #f48882 Hold 2004 United States Senate election in Illinois Democratic Party (United States) Barack Obama 3,597,456 69.97% +22.6%Republican Party (United States) Alan Keyes 1,390,690 27.05% -23.3% Independent Al Franzen 81,164 1.6% N/A Libertarian Party (United States) Jerry Kohn 69,253 1.3% N/A 2,957 0.1% N/A 5,141,520 100.0% N/A Democratic Party (United States) Republican Party (United States) By county By county yes #B0CEFF;line-height:135%; none Countyhttps://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=2004&fips=17&f=1&off=3&elect=0&class=3 2004 Senatorial General Election Results - Illinois Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Elections May 16, 2025Barack ObamaDemocraticAlan KeyesRepublicanOtherThird party/Write-inMarginTotalvotes#%#%#%#%Adams16,03652.38%13,85745.12%7202.35% 2,179 7.12% 30,613Alexander2,39565.60%1,14831.44%1082.96% 1,247 34.16%3,651Bond4,22758.78%2,71737.78%2473.43% 1,510 21.00% 7,191Boone11,20658.62%7,31738.28%5923.10% 3,889 20.35%19,115Brown1,30853.26%1,07343.69%753.05% 235 9.57%2,456Bureau10,64861.12%6,28436.07%4892.81% 4,364 25.05%17,421Calhoun1,60461.69%91235.08%843.23% 692 26.62%2,600Carroll4,96162.47%2,73034.38%2503.15% 2,231 28.09%7,941Cass3,34161.30%1,89634.79%2133.91% 1,445 26.51%5,450Champaign51,81364.53%25,54831.82%2,9363.66%26,26532.71%80,297Christian9,32362.52%5,10134.21%4892.66% 14,913 28.31%12,417Clark3,56646.52%3,83350.01%2663.47% -267 -3.48%7,665Clay2,50539.77%3,61457.37%1802.86% -1,109 -17.61%6,299Clinton9,43757.10%6,56539.72%5263.18% 2,872 17.38%16,528Coles12,75857.77%8,62539.06%7003.17% 4,133 18.72%22,083Cook1,629,29681.14%329,67116.42%49,1122.45%1,299,62564.72%2,008,079Crawford4,30248.08%4,26147.62%3854.30% 41 0.46%8,948Cumberland2,59849.34%2,49247.32%1763.34%106 2.01%5,266DeKalb26,07765.70%11,95430.12%1,6634.19%14,12335.58%39,694DeWitt4,34057.51%2,97339.39%2343.10%1,36718.11%7,547Douglas4,23951.53%3,71745.18%2713.29% 522 6.34%8,227DuPage251,44564.30%124,64231.87%14,9543.82%126,80332.43%391,041Edgar4,01449.24%3,85847.33%2803.43% 156 1.91%8,152Edwards1,15536.91%1,87659.96%983.13% -721 -23.04%3,129Effingham6,26440.05%8,93057.09%4482.86% -2,666 -17.04%15,642Fayette4,82652.22%4,12744.65%2893.13% 699 7.56%9,242Ford3,02148.44%2,98447.85%2313.70% 37 0.59%6,236Franklin11,94963.91%6,22133.27%5281.67% 5,728 30.63%18,698Fulton11,72970.13%4,55627.24%4402.63%7,173 42.89%16,725Gallatin2,10970.63%78626.32%913.05% 1,323 44.31%2,986Greene3,34357.36%2,28139.14%2043.50%1,062 18.22%5,828Grundy12,28563.79%6,30832.76%6653.45% 5,977 31.04%19,258Hamilton2,45857.51%1,68039.31%1363.18% 778 18.20%4,274Hancock5,14353.84%4,12543.18%2842.97% 1,018 10.66%9,552Hardin1,25353.78%99142.53%863.69% 262 11.24%2,330Henderson2,70467.10%1,19529.65%1313.25% 1,509 37.44%4,030Henry15,96564.53%8,21933.22%5572.25%7,746 31.31%24,741Iroquois6,17746.33%6,73650.52%4203.15% -559 -4.19%13,333Jackson17,29569.04%6,92427.64%8313.32%10,37141.40%25,050Jasper2,14142.30%2,76854.68%1533.02% -627 -12.39%5,062Jefferson9,11155.79%6,77841.50%4432.71% 2,333 14.28%16,332Jersey5,67057.91%3,82539.07%2963.02% 1,845 18.84%9,791Jo Daviess6,71460.75%3,96835.91%3693.34% 2,746 24.85%11,051Johnson2,78149.87%2,61746.93%1783.19% 164 2.94%5,576Kane101,10563.32%52,31932.77%6,2523.92%48,78630.55%159,676Kankakee28,16463.85%14,61433.13%1,3343.02% 13,550 30.72%44,112Kendall18,45058.85%11,52236.75%1,3814.40%6,92822.10%31,353Knox17,09870.27%6,70327.55%5312.18% 10,395 42.72%24,332Lake183,71768.59%75,19928.08%8,9253.33%108,51840.52%229,413LaSalle32,19365.02%15,67631.66%1,6403.31% 16,517 33.36%49,509Lawrence3,25550.50%2,95645.86%2353.65% 299 4.64%6,446Lee8,87357.07%6,18639.79%4883.14% 2,687 17.28%15,547Livingston8,47454.76%6,51342.08%4893.16% 1,961 12.67%15,476Logan6,94553.99%5,51742.89%4013.12% 1,428 11.10%12,863Macon30,72960.84%18,51136.65%1,2652.50% 12,218 24.19%50,505Macoupin14,42365.10%6,94631.35%7853.54% 7,477 33.75%22,154Madison77,20864.00%39,43132.69%3,9993.31% 37,777 31.31%120,638Marion10,08860.39%6,09936.51%5173.10%3,989 23.88%16,704Marshall3,90960.89%2,35436.67%1572.45% 1,555 24.22%6,420Mason4,49864.84%2,23032.15%2093.01% 2,268 32.69%6,937Massac3,30946.27%3,68951.59%1532.14% -380 -5.31%7,151McDonough9,42265.23%4,69332.49%3302.28%4,729 32.74%14,445McHenry76,65261.62%42,93634.51%4,8143.87% 33,716 27.10%124,402McLean43,02761.65%25,04035.87%1,7312.48%17,98725.77%69,798Menard3,52956.15%2,45339.03%3034.82% 1,076 17.12%6,285Mercer5,72966.27%2,68531.06%2312.67% 3,044 35.21%8,645Monroe9,15058.12%6,08938.68%5043.20% 3,061 19.44%15,743Montgomery7,90363.52%4,07832.78%4613.71% 3,825 30.74%12,442Morgan8,57858.37%5,47837.28%6404.35% 3,100 21.09%14,696Moultrie3,44955.41%2,62242.13%1532.46% 827 13.29%6,224Ogle12,90354.77%9,91242.07%7433.15% 2,991 12.70%23,558Peoria55,06167.58%24,88830.55%1,5211.87%30,17337.04%81,470Perry6,46464.33%3,28532.69%2991.56% 3,179 31.64%10,048Piatt4,54854.98%3,39641.05%3283.97% 1,152 13.93%8,272Pike3,88750.21%3,57346.15%2823.64% 314 4.06%7,742Pope1,21152.54%1,02044.25%743.21% 191 8.29%2,305Pulaski1,74958.97%1,13738.33%802.70% 612 20.63%2,966Putnam2,19267.43%97129.87%882.71% 1,221 37.56%3,251Randolph9,00962.53%4,96134.43%4373.03% 4,04828.10%14,407Richland3,04840.92%4,18556.19%2.892.18% -1,137 -15.27%7,448Rock Island49,09671.08%18,62026.96%1,3561.96%30,47644.12%69,072Saline6,85160.84%4,13336.71%2762.45% 2,718 24.14%11,260Sangamon57,38562.38%29,43231.99%5,1815.63% 27,953 30.38%91,998Schuyler2,24157.71%1,54239.71%1002.58% 699 18.00%3,883Scott1,31552.43%1,10143.90%923.67% 214 8.53%2,508Shelby5,36452.29%4,62645.09%2692.62% 738 7.19%10,259St. Clair74,44767.12%33,28830.01%3,1882.87%41,15937.11%110,923Stark1,72258.75%1,11938.18%903.07% 603 20.57%2,931Stephenson12,24459.11%7,88238.05%5892.84% 4,362 21.06%20,715Tazewell36,05859.67%22,95537.99%1,4142.34% 13,103 21.68%60,427Union4,76154.91%3,33838.50%5716.59% 1,423 16.41%8,670Vermilion19,50059.16%12,41337.66%1,0483.18% 7,087 21.50%32,961Wabash2,40441.94%3,11054.26%2183.80% -706 -12.32%5,732Warren5,40265.40%2,68532.51%1732.09% 2,717 32.89%8,260Washington4,11053.54%3,31543.19%2513.27% 795 10.36%7,676Wayne3,23340.58%4,50256.51%2322.91% -1,269 -15.93%7,967White4,03851.56%3,49244.59%3013.84% 546 6.97%7,831Whiteside17,58567.23%7,87930.12%6932.65% 9,706 37.11%26,157Will162,89166.76%72,78629.83%8,3263.41%90,10536.93%244,003Williamson17,11358.94%10,90237.55%1,0183.51% 6,211 21.39%29,033Winnebago74,91162.89%40,47033.98%3,7273.13%34,44128.92%119,108Woodford9,30450.86%8,55046.74%4382.39% 754 4.12%18,292Totals3,597,45669.97%1,390,69027.05%153,3742.98%2,206,76642.92%5,141,520 Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic 20em Bond (largest city: Greenville) Bureau (largest city: Princeton) Cass (largest city: Beardstown) Christian (largest city: Taylorville) Clinton (largest city: Breese) Coles (largest city: Charleston) DeKalb (largest city: DeKalb) Fayette (largest city: Vandalia) Greene (largest city: Carrollton) Grundy (largest city: Morris) Hamilton (largest city: McLeansboro) Hancock (largest city: Hamilton) Hardin (largest city: Rosiclare) Jefferson (largest city: Mount Vernon) Jersey (largest city: Jerseyville) Jo Daviess (largest city: Galena) Kankakee (largest city: Kankakee) Marion (largest city: Centralia) Marshall (largest city: Henry) Mason (largest city: Havana) McDonough (largest city: Macomb) Moultrie (largest city: Sullivan) Piatt (largest city: Monticello) Pike (largest city: Pittsfield) Pope (largest city: Golconda) Randolph (largest city: Chester) Saline (largest city: Harrisburg) Schuyler (largest city: Rushville) Shelby (largest city: Shelbyville) Union (largest city: Anna) Vermilion (largest city: Danville) Warren (largest city: Monmouth) Will (largest city: Joliet) Williamson (largest city: Marion) Winnebago (largest city: Rockford) Franklin (largest city: West Frankfort) Henry (largest city: Kewanee) LaSalle (largest city: Ottawa) Macon (largest city: Decatur) Macoupin (largest city: Carlinville) Montgomery (largest city: Litchfield) Perry (largest city: Du Quoin) Boone (largest city: Belvidere) Carroll (largest city: Savanna) DuPage (largest city: Aurora) Kane (largest city: Aurora) Kendall (largest village: Oswego) McHenry (largest city: Crystal Lake) McLean (largest city: Bloomington) Stephenson (largest city: Freeport) Adams (largest city: Quincy) Brown (largest city: Mount Sterling) Cumberland (largest city: Neoga) Crawford (largest city: Robinson) DeWitt (largest city: Clinton) Douglas (largest city: Tuscola) Edgar (largest city: Paris) Ford (largest city: Paxton) Livingston (largest city: Pontiac) Lee (largest city: Dixon) Logan (largest city: Lincoln) Madison (largest city: Granite City) Menard (largest city: Petersburg) Mercer (largest city: Aledo) Monroe (largest city: Waterloo) Morgan (largest city: Jacksonville) Ogle (largest city: Rochelle) Peoria (largest city: Peoria) Putnam (largest city: Hennpin) Sangamon (largest city: Springfield) Scott (largest city: Winchester) Tazewell (largest city: Pekin) Washington (largest city: Nashville) Calhoun (largest village: Hardin) Fulton (largest city: Canton) Henderson (largest village: Oquawka) Knox (largest city: Galesburg) Pulaski (largest city: Mounds) Champaign (largest city: Champaign) Rock Island (largest city: Moline) Lake (largest city: Waukegan) Whiteside (largest city: Sterling) Woodford (largest city: Eureka) Johnson (largest city: Vienna) Jackson (largest city: Carbondale) St. Clair (largest city: Belleville) Analysis Voter demographics Voter demographic data for 2004 was collected by CNN. The voter survey is based on exit polls completed by 1,373 voters in person as well as by phone.https://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/IL/S/01/epolls.0.html https://web.archive.org/web/20050113103637/https://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/pages/results/states/IL/S/01/epolls.0.html CNN Exit Polls 2004 January 13, 2005 CNN May 15, 2025 + 2004 United States Senate election voter demographics in Illinois (CNN) Demographic subgroupKeyesObama % oftotal voteIdeology Liberals 8 91 23 Moderates 18 80 50 Conservatives 61 33 27Party Democrats 5 94 40 Republicans 56 40 33 Independents 24 7427Gender Men 30 6745 Women 25 7355Race/ethnicity White 31 66 78 Black 8 92 10 Latino 17 82 9 Asian N/A N/A 2 Other N/A N/A 1 Gender by race/ethnicity White men 33 64 36 White women 28 69 42 Non-White men 19 81 10 Non-White women 11 88 13Age 18–29 years old 25 73 21 30–44 years old 27 70 30 45–59 years old 26 72 29 60 and older 32 65 20Income Under $15,000 28 72 7 $15–30,000 27 71 12 $30–50,000 29 70 24 $50–75,000 27 71 24 $75–100,000 24 72 14 $100–150,000 24 70 11 $150–200,000 N/A N/A 4 $200,000 or More 25 75 4Religion Protestant 37 60 47 Catholic 23 75 36 Jewish N/A N/A 3 Other 8 92 5 None 15 84 9Issue regarded as most important War in Iraq 12 88 21 Economy/Jobs 4 93 20 Moral Issues 61 38 19 Terrorism 40 51 18 Healthcare 12 88 5 Taxes 41 59 5 Education 25 75 5 Decision to go to war in Iraq Strongly Approve 65 29 22 Somewhat Approve 38 59 25 Somewhat Disapprove 11 87 18 Strongly Disapprove 4 94 34 Bush job approval Strongly Approve 61 34 28 Somewhat Approve 38 56 19 Somewhat Disapprove 13 87 15 Strongly Disapprove 4 96 38 Region Chicago 11 88 20 Cook County Suburbs 23 75 20 Collar counties 32 65 23 Northern Illinois 35 62 24 Southern Illinois 36 61 13 Area type Urban 19 80 31 Suburban 27 70 47 Rural 40 58 22 Aftermath Following the election, Keyes refused to call Obama to congratulate him. Media reports claimed that Keyes also failed to concede the race to Obama.http://www.sunjournal.com/keyes-concedes-race-says-obama-stands-evil-culture/ Keyes concedes race, says Obama stands for 'evil' culture - Lewiston Sun Journal 2004-11-06 Lewiston Sun Journal 2018-02-09 en-US Two days after the election, a radio interviewer asked Keyes whether he had conceded the race. Keyes replied, "Of course I've conceded the race. I mean, I gave my speech to that effect."http://www.keyesarchives.com/transcript.php?id=377 Alan Keyes on the Scott Thomas Show, WYLL August 12, 2007 November 4, 2004 Thomas, Scott Allan Keyes Archives On the radio program, Keyes explained that his refusal to congratulate Obama was "not anything personal," but was meant to make a statement against "extend[ing] false congratulations to the triumph of what we have declared to be across the line." He said that Obama's position on moral issues regarding abortion and the family had crossed that line. "I'm supposed to make a call that represents the congratulations toward the triumph of that which I believe ultimately stands for... a culture evil enough to destroy the very soul and heart of my country? I can't do this. And I will not make a false gesture," Keyes said. Obama would go on to be elected president of the United States in 2008. See also Illinois Politics 2000s 2004 United States Senate elections Notes Partisan clients References Rosenbaum, David E. December 10, 2003 Paul Simon, former Senator from Illinois, is dead at 75 The New York Times A29 https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A03E2DD1F3DF933A25751C1A9659C8B63&pagewanted=all November 4, 2008 Long, Ray December 10, 2003 A legacy of honesty and dignity; Straight-talking manner appealed even to conservatives Chicago Tribune 1 paid archive https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/487246551.html?dids=487246551:487246551&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT November 4, 2008 October 20, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121020022840/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/487246551.html?dids=487246551:487246551&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead Neal, Steve December 31, 2003 Obama's endorsements stacking up; Before he died, former Sen. Paul Simon had decided to endorse Obama Chicago Sun-Times 33 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=(Obama's%20endorsements%20stacking%20up)%20AND%20date(12/31/2003%20to%2012/31/2003)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=12/31/2003%20to%2012/31/2003)&p_field_advanced-0=&p_text_advanced-0=(Obama's%20endorsements%20stacking%20up)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008 Schoenburg, Bernard February 26, 2004 Obama gets endorsement from Simon's daughter The State Journal-Register 12 paid archive http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=JR&p_theme=jr&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Obama%20AND%20gets%20AND%20endorsement%20AND%20from%20AND%20Simon%20AND%20daughter&s_dispstring=Obama%20gets%20endorsement%20from%20Simon's%20daughter%20AND%20date(2/26/2004%20to%202/26/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=2/26/2004%20to%202/26/2004)&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no November 4, 2008 Wallace-Wells, Ben Obama's narrator April 1, 2007 https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/01/magazine/01axelrod.t.html The New York Times Magazine April 13, 2008 Mendell (2007), pp. 227–232 Mendell, David March 17, 2004 Obama routs Democratic foes; Ryan tops crowded GOP field; Hynes, Hull fall far short across state Chicago Tribune 1 http://www.chicagotribune.com/technology/chi-0403170332mar17,0,6048572.story November 4, 2008 Fornek, Scott Herguth, Robert C. March 17, 2004 Obama defeats Hull's millions, Hynes' name; Consistent effort results in landslide for Hyde Parker Chicago Sun-Times 2 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline(Obama%20defeats%20Hull's)%20AND%20date(3/17/2004%20to%202/17/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/17/2004%20to%202/17/2004)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(Obama%20defeats%20Hull's)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive November 4, 2008 Brown, Mark March 17, 2004 Voters warmed to Obama, the next hot politician Chicago Sun-Times 2 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline(Voters%20warmed%20to%20Obama%20)%20AND%20date(3/17/2004%20to%203/17/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/17/2004%20to%203/17/2004)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(Voters%20warmed%20to%20Obama%20)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 Wills, Christopher (Associated Press) March 18, 2004 Republican Ryan trying to battle new Democratic star despite questions Times-Courier http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=JTNP&p_theme=jtnp&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Republican%20Ryan%20trying%20to%20battle%20new%20Democratic%20star%20despite%20questions&s_dispstring=Republican%20Ryan%20trying%20to%20battle%20new%20Democratic%20star%20despite%20questions%20AND%20date(3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 Mendell, David March 18, 2004 Ryan, Obama enter new ring; Democrat carries high hopes of blacks with him to center stage Chicago Tribune 1 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/581094561.html?dids=581094561:581094561&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT paid archive December 14, 2009 October 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024084434/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/581094561.html?dids=581094561:581094561&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead Sweet, Lynn March 18, 2004 Senate Democrats race to raise cash for Obama. The Obama campaign energized voters. The Ryan election did not get people to the polls Chicago Sun-Times 43 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline(Senate%20Democrats%20race%20to%20raise%20cash%20for%20Obama)%20AND%20date(3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(Senate%20Democrats%20race%20to%20raise%20cash%20for%20Obama)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 Krol, Eric March 18, 2004 Campaign starts early for Ryan, Obama; Senate hopefuls already trying to define each other Daily Herald (Arlington Heights) 1 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=ADHB&p_theme=adhb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Campaign%20AND%20starts%20AND%20early%20AND%20for%20AND%20Ryan,%20AND%20Obama&s_dispstring=Campaign%20starts%20early%20for%20Ryan,%20Obama%20AND%20date(3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 March 18, 2004 Illinois primary victor is Party's Senate hope; Democratic leaders see the state as a key battleground in their effort to regain control Los Angeles Times A25 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/581766931.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT paid archive December 14, 2009 October 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024084458/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/581766931.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead Tilove, Jonathan (Newhouse News Service) March 18, 2004 Barack Obama: Black Senate candidate a rising star Mobile Register A06 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MBRB&p_theme=mbrb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_text_search-0=Barack%20Obama:%20Black%20Senate%20candidate%20a%20rising%20star&s_dispstring=Barack%20Obama:%20Black%20Senate%20candidate%20a%20rising%20star%20AND%20date(3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/18/2004%20to%203/18/2004)&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 Davey, Monica March 18, 2004 As quickly as overnight, a Democratic star is born The New York Times A20 https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E2DD1231F93BA25750C0A9629C8B63&pagewanted=all November 4, 2008 Howlett, Debbie March 19, 2004 Dems see a rising star in Illinois Senate candidate USA Today A04 https://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/2004-03-18-obama-usat_x.htm November 4, 2008 Harwood, John March 31, 2004 Presidential politics overshadows rise of state-level stars The Wall Street Journal A4 paid archive Romano, Lois April 10, 2004 Kerry sprinkles jobs message with attacks on Iraq policy The Washington Post A4 https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/614272321.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT paid archive December 14, 2009 October 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024084524/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/614272321.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead Fornek, Scott April 12, 2004 Obama's poll puts him far ahead of Ryan Chicago Sun-Times 7 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline(Obama's%20poll%20puts%20him%20far%20ahead%20of%20Ryan)%20AND%20date(4/12/2004%20to%204/12/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=4/12/2004%20to%204/12/2004)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(Obama's%20poll%20puts%20him%20far%20ahead%20of%20Ryan)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 Kuhnhenn, James May 24, 2004 With seven retirements, control of Senate is at stake in election The Philadelphia Inquirer A02 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=PI&p_theme=pi&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_trackval=PI&s_search_type=customized&s_dispstring=title(With%20seven%20retirements)%20AND%20date(05/24/2004%20to%2005/24/2004)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=05/24/2004%20to%2005/24/2004)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(With%20seven%20retirements)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no paid archive December 14, 2009 Scheiber, Noam May 31, 2004 Race against history. Barack Obama's miraculous campaign The New Republic 21–22, 24–26 (cover story) http://www.tnr.com/article/race-against-history-0 December 14, 2009 Finnegan, William May 31, 2004 The Candidate. How far can Barack Obama go? The New Yorker 32–38 https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2004/05/31/040531fa_fact1?currentPage=all December 14, 2009 Dionne Jr. E. J. June 25, 2004 In Illinois, a star prepares The Washington Post A29 https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A4062-2004Jun24.html December 14, 2009 Mendell (2007), pp. 235–259. Turow, Scott March 30, 2004 The new face of the Democratic Party -- and America Salon.com http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/03/30/obama December 28, 2009 https://web.archive.org/web/20110607035057/http://dir.salon.com/story/news/feature/2004/03/30/obama June 7, 2011 dead mdy-all Cader, Michael July 30, 2004 Publishers eyeing Obama The New York Sun http://www.nysun.com/business/publishers-eyeing-obama/175/ December 28, 2009 April 28, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100428113547/http://www.nysun.com/business/publishers-eyeing-obama/175/ dead Leroux, Charles August 6, 2004 The buzz around Obama's book Chicago Tribune 1 (Tempo) https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/674816151.html?dids=674816151:674816151&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT December 28, 2009 October 24, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121024112523/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/674816151.html?dids=674816151:674816151&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT dead Sweet, Lynn March 17, 2005 Be-bop, Barack and bucks from book Chicago Sun-Times 39 http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline(Be-bop)%20(%20Barack%20and%20bucks%20from%20book)%20AND%20date(3/17/2005%20to%203/17/2005)&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date:B,E&p_text_date-0=3/17/2005%20to%203/17/2005)&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=(Be-bop)&p_bool_advanced-1=&p_field_advanced-1=&p_text_advanced-1=(%20Barack%20and%20bucks%20from%20book)&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&xcal_useweights=no December 28, 2009 October 7, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221007172813/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&s_dispstring=headline%28Be-bop%29%20%28%20Barack%20and%20bucks%20from%20book%29%20AND%20date%283%2F17%2F2005%20to%203%2F17%2F2005%29&p_field_date-0=YMD_date&p_params_date-0=date%3AB%2CE&p_text_date-0=3%2F17%2F2005%20to%203%2F17%2F2005%29&p_field_advanced-0=title&p_text_advanced-0=%28Be-bop%29&p_bool_advanced-1=&p_field_advanced-1=&p_text_advanced-1=%28%20Barack%20and%20bucks%20from%20book%29&xcal_numdocs=20&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date%3AD&xcal_useweights=no dead Scott, Janny May 18, 2008 The story of Obama, written by Obama The New York Times A1 https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/18/us/politics/18memoirs.html?_r=3&pagewanted=all December 28, 2009 Further reading Mendell, David August 14, 2007 Obama: From Promise to Power 147–302 New York Amistad/HarperCollins 978-0-06-085820-9 https://archive.org/details/obamafrompromise00mend_0/page/147 January 27, 2009 registration External links Official campaign websites (archived) Barack Obama (D) for Senate Daniel W. Hynes (D) for Senate M. Blair Hull (D) for Senate Maria Pappas (D) for Senate Gery Chico (D) for Senate Nancy Skinner (D) for Senate Joyce Washington (D) for Senate Estella Johnson-Hunt (D) for Senate Alan Keyes (R) for Senate Jack Ryan (R) for Senate Jim Oberweis (R) for Senate Steve Rauschenberger (R) for Senate Andrew McKenna (R) for Senate Johnathan C. Wright (R) for Senate John L. Borling (R) for Senate Norm Hill (R) for Senate Chirinjeev Kathuria (R) for Senate Albert J Franzen (I) for Senate Jerry Kohn (L) for Senate Category:2004 Illinois elections 2004 Illinois Category:Barack Obama