White Wins Re-Election As Secretary Of State
FINAL ELECTION RESULTS: CLICK HERE
LIVE LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS: CLICK HERE
LIVE NATIONAL ELECTION RESULTS: CLICK HERE
ELECTION 2010 CAMPAIGN CENTER: CLICK HERE
CHICAGO (CBS) - Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has held on to his job for another term.
White beat Republican political novice Robert Enriquez and Libertarian Josh Hanson.
White, who is 76, has served as secretary of state since 1998. He has said this would be his last run for office.
In 2002, White was re-elected to a second term by winning all 102 counties in Illinois and collecting 2.7 million votes, according to a release from Citizens for Jesse White. In 2006, he was re-elected by over one million votes and a 2-to-1 margin. Upon completion of the fourth term, White will be the longest serving Secretary of State in Illinois history.
In a statement released Tuesday night, White thanked the people of Illinois.
"I'd like to thank the people of Illinois for their overwhelming support for my re-election. I'm honored that people have seen the improvements in the office from cleaning up the culture of corruption to making the roads of Illinois safer and to making the office much more consumer friendly. My number one priority is and always will be the people of Illinois. I am honored to have your support and continue to be the best possible Secretary of State for the next four years," White said in the statement.
The secretary of state regulates driver's licenses, vehicle registrations, corporations and lobbyists, and serves as the state librarian.
The administrative post has sometimes been drawn into controversy, such as a bribery scandal under then-Secretary George Ryan.
White caused a stir when he refused to certify the U.S. Senate appointment of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
