Illinois election: Democrat Alexi Giannoulias declares victory in race for Illinois Secretary of State
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Democrat Alexi Giannoulias declared victory Tuesday night in the race for Illinois Secretary of State.
CBS News and The Associated Press had not officially called the race as of 9:30 p.m., but Republican Dan Brady conceded to Giannoulias.
With 46 percent of votes counted, Giannoulias had 58 percent of the vote, compared with 40 percent for Brady and 2 percent for Libertarian Jon Stewart.
In his victory speech, Giannoulias emphasized the need for government to restore public trust – particularly with concerns about what the election Tuesday night could mean on a national level.
"The people of Illinois have now entrusted me with the office that touches so many parts of your lives, and I promise you that I will earn that trust – and the Secretary of State's office will make your lives better," he said.
Giannoulias said he would also focus on bringing trust and integrity back to Springfield – so that Illinois residents no longer find themselves paying a "corruption tax."
He urged people not to lose faith in government.
"There are people in office and running for office across the country that want to fight for you every single day, and I will fight for you every single day," Giannoulas said.
Giannoulias said the dismissive characterization of the Secretary of State's office as an "office full of jobs" is not accurate. He said it is an office full of dedicated public servants, and he is looking forward not to being their boss, but to working with them on a team.
Giannoulias got emotional as he invoked his daughters when he said there was another valuable lesson in his successful run.
"Don't ever let anyone count you out. Don't ever let anyone say you're finished. Don't ever quit anything. Don't ever let anyone tell you to stay down on the mat – ever," he said. "If you believe in something and you believe in yourself, just keep moving forward, always."
The race for Illinois Secretary of State was a battle for an open seat for the first time since 1998 – with Jesse White retiring after serving six terms. White was present as Giannoulias' gave his speech.
The Illinois Secretary of State's function in the state constitution revolves around the officeholder's duty to maintain official state records and the state seal. But the average Illinois resident is most likely to interact with the Secretary of State's office for driver's licensing, vehicle registration, and other driver services.
CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov talked recently with both candidates about what they would do to improve driver's services in Illinois.
Both Brady and Giannoulias put enhanced online services at the top of their priority lists – if they win.
"We've been focused on a skip-the-line program, where people can schedule an appointment and get to the front of the line," Giannoulias said. "We've looked at putting people's driver's license and IDs on their mobile devices; the creation of an app; vision tests online."
"What can we do?" said Brady. "Can we move a license from renewals up to six years possibly to eight years?"
Giannoulias said modernization of all services is key. Brady also wants to open more locations – at community colleges and even libraries. In one of his ads, Brady also made a promise about crime – a big buzzword in this election cycle.
Brady said in the campaign ad that he would "support law enforcement, and allow the Secretary of State police to do what they do best – fight back against crime."
Kozlov asked Brady how exactly Secretary of State police help fight crime when their primary function is to protect the Illinois State Capitol.
Brady said while their primary function may be to protect the Capitol, 60 officers are assigned to special units for things like auto theft and illegal car sales. He says those officers could help local departments.
"I think local law enforcement could benefit from that intel that the Secretary of State's Police Division has," Brady said.
For his part, Giannoulias said, "We continue to talk about things that our office can tangibly do to help on crime; on social justice issues - and we're going to focus on that."
Giannoulias also says his past experience as Illinois state treasurer makes him uniquely qualified for office. Brady, a state representative from Bloomington, also touts his business and county service as important qualifications.