Ill. picks Senate candidates; gov. races close

CHICAGO -- Illinois voters picked candidates Tuesday for an election in which Democrats will try to defend the governor's office and a U.S. Senate seat from a Republican Party eager to exploit their political disarray.

Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias won the Democratic Senate nomination. He will face Republican Mark Kirk, a moderate five-term congressman.

The GOP also hopes to win the governor's mansion after years of turmoil under Democrats. First Gov. Rod Blagojevich was arrested and kicked out of office on federal corruption charges. His successor, Pat Quinn, then got into a vicious primary battle.

The governor's race, for both Democrats and Republicans, remained close late Tuesday.