Eileen O'Neill Burke wins Democratic Cook County State's Attorney's primary
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Eileen O'Neill Burke was declared the winner of the Democratic primary for Cook County State's Attorney Friday, 10 days after voters took to the polls.
The Associated Press called the race Friday evening.
"I'm honored to be the Democratic nominee for Cook County State's Attorney! Congratulations to Clayton Harris on a hard-fought campaign," O'Neill Burke wrote. "There is so much more that unites us than what divides us. I promise to work tirelessly to help build a safer, stronger Cook County together."
A Harris spokesperson said Harris called O'Neill Burke to concede the race. Harris' campaign released this statement:
"After months of organizing, meeting and talking with people from all across this county, and waiting for every vote to be counted, we've fallen a bit short of our goal. I want to congratulate Eileen O'Neill Burke on her victory.
"I am incredibly proud of the broad, diverse, grassroots coalition we built countywide with the vision of a criminal justice system that focuses on safety and justice. Where we keep every resident safe–no matter what neighborhood they live in, and where we do so in a just fashion.
"I said throughout this campaign that I would continue to push forward on the urgent work of criminal justice reform. That remains my commitment.
"From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Cook County."
Harris' campaign said it would not be pursuing a recount.
The race had been too close to call since the primary 10 days ago. As of Friday, the difference between the vote totals for the two candidates was 1,556 votes.
O'Neill Burke led in fundraising, while Harris had numerous endorsements -- including labor unions and progressive and establishment Democrats.
Harris was an Assistant Cook County State's Attorney in the early 2000s. He was chief of staff to Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He now teachers at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago.
O'Neill Burke is also a former Assistant State's Attorney, a defense lawyer, a former circuit court judge, and now an appeals court judge. She is considered the more moderate candidate.
O'Neill Burke will go on to the general election in November, where she will face Republican Bob Fioretti.
Fioretti, a former Chicago alderman and candidate for mayor, compared both Haris and Burke to sitting Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx.
"I didn't have a preference, because I knew the difference. One was Kim Foxx on steroids, and the other was Kim Foxx lite, and so that's what we're faced with now," Fioretti said. "The choice in November is going to be whether we want chaos and bedlam, or law and order."
Fioretti said he wants to square off against Burke in several debates before November.
O'Neill Burke and Fioretti will also face Libertarian Andrew Charles Kopinski.
