Giannoulias, Kirk Are Frontrunners for Their Parties' Nods in Illinois Senate Race

The race to fill President Obama's old Senate seat in Illinois is shaping up as a contest between state Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Democrat, and five-term Republican Rep. Mark Kirk, according to a Chicago Tribune/WGN poll conducted Jan. 16-20. Both hold big leads over rivals in party primaries scheduled for Feb. 2.

Giannoulias leads the Democratic pack with 34 percent, followed by Cheryle Jackson, former head of the Chicago Urban League, at 19 percent and David Hoffman, former Chicago inspector general, at 16 percent. Five percent support other candidates and 26 percent are undecided. The margin of error is four points.

The Tribune says that Jackson, the only African-American in the Democratic race, is supported by 48 percent of black voters but her support among them is about the same as in December, while Giannoulias has increased his share.

On the GOP side, Kirk is way ahead with 47 percent, followed by businessman Patrick Hughes, a favorite of many Tea Party activists, at 8 percent. Other candidates account for 10 percent and 35 percent are undecided.

While more than half of the Republicans surveyed say they agree with the Tea Party movement, Hughes has not been able to translate that sentiment into significant support for his candidacy.

Twenty-three percent say Kirk is not conservative enough, 5 percent say he is too conservative, 33 percent mostly agree with him on issues and 39 percent don't know.

Giannoulias and Kirk benefit by being better known than the other contenders. Giannoulias' name recognition is 71 percent compared to 58 percent for Jackson and 53 percent for Hoffman. Eighty-four percent of likely Republican primary voters have heard of Kirk compared to 53 percent for Hoffman.

The New York Times has a piece today on the Illinois Senate race which the GOP state chairman claims will be the next Massachusetts for the Democrats.

Follow Poll Watch on Twitter.