Giannoulias Edges a Bit Past Kirk in Illinois Senate Race

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois state treasurer, has edged slightly ahead of Republican Rep. Mark Kirk in the race for the Senate, although by a statistically insignificant margin, according to a Rasmussen Reports poll conducted March 8.

Giannoulias is leading by 44 percent to 41 percent, with 5 percent preferring another choice and 10 percent undecided. The margin of error is 4.5 points. In early February, Kirk had led 46 percent to 40 percent.

Supporters of each are lukewarm at this point in the race. Of the 49 percent who view Kirk favorably, only 13 percent are in the "very favorable" category. As for Giannoulias, 44 percent see him favorably but only 9 percent very favorably.Kirk fares far better among fellow Republicans than Giannoulias does among Democrats. Kirk gets 85 percent support from his own party's voters while Giannoulias gets 66 percent from his. Kirk is attracting 18 percent of the Democratic vote.

Giannoulias' standing could change if the controversy over his family's struggling bank, Broadway Bank, gets traction as an issue in the campaign. Giannoulias was an executive of the bank until he was elected as state treasurer in 2006. Kirk has zeroed in on its troubles and his rival's role, saying Giannoulias bore "direct, personal responsibility for reckless loans" that could sink the institution.

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