Fitzgerald To Face Moseley-Braun For Illinois Senate Seat

Moseley-Braun at her campaign victory speech in 1992

CHICAGO (AllPolitics, March 18) -- Conservative Peter Fitzgerald on Tuesday defeated state Comptroller Loleta Didrickson, a moderate, in the Illinois Republican primary for the U.S. Senate and the right to challenge incumbent Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun in the fall.

Didrickson, an abortion-rights supporter backed by much of the GOP establishment, conceded defeat to Fitzgerald Tuesday night, saying "it wasn't meant to be." She told supporters her campaign wasn't able to overcome Fitzgerald's support in downstate Illinois.

With 75 percent of the precincts reporting, Fitzgerald held a 52 percent to 48 percent lead. Moseley-Braun, the first black woman senator, was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

A millionaire state senator, Fitzgerald won despite last-minute appeals from Republican moderates who said that nominating a pro-gun, anti-abortion conservative could ruin any chances of defeating Moseley-Braun.

Richardson has spent more than $7 million of his own money on the campaign

Buoyed by strong returns downstate, meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Glenn W. Poshard captured the Democratic nomination for governor, defeating three other high-profile Democrats.

Illinois Secretary of State George Ryan easily captured the Republican nomination for governor, taking a huge early lead he never relinquished. Ryan faced only token opposition from Chad Koppie, a 60-year-old retired pilot.

Poshard will face Ryan in the November general election with a chance to put the first Democrat in the executive mansion since Daniel Walker in 1976. The office was thrown up for grabs when incumbent GOP Gov. Jim Edgar announced he would retire after his second term.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday March 18, 1998

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• First 'Air Force One' To Be Retired
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• A Taxpayer-Friendly IRS?
• Fitzgerald To Face Moseley-Braun For Illinois Senate Seat

Transcripts:
• Vice President Al Gore Speaking On IRS Changes