The Illinois gubernatorial race isn’t completely over — but it appears to be getting there, with incumbent Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn expanding his narrow lead against Republican state Sen. Bill Brady.
The Chicago Tribune reports, Quinn led on election night by the tiny margin of 8,000 votes. The race then became a contest of sorts between the under-counted areas, which overall would favor Quinn, versus absentee ballots that might help Brady.
So far, Quinn’s lead has grown to 20,000 votes.
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A Tribune review of election jurisdictions in Illinois showed it is unlikely Brady can make up the difference based on uncounted absentee ballots, as his campaign has suggested. President Barack Obama already has called Quinn to congratulate him on the victory.
Brady said his campaign officials are making their own calls to election authorities throughout the state.
“We’re just gathering information,” Brady said on the Capitol steps. “As we said yesterday and the day before, voters deserve to see that every vote be counted. We’re going to make sure that every vote’s counted and gathering information and seeing what our steps will be when.”
