Dold wins GOP nod; Seals up slightly

Businessman Bob Dold has won the Republican primary for Rep. Mark Kirk’s (R-Ill.) seat.

Dold had 39 percent of the vote, with 97 precincts reporting. State Rep. Beth Coulson was second with 30 percent, while businessman Dick Green had 15 percent. Coulson has conceded.

Dold gives the GOP a fresh face and a political newcomer for the contest. His campaign raised good money, and his affable style won over Republican leaders who expected a stronger effort from Coulson.

He will face one of two Democrats – state Rep. Julie Hamos or 2006 and 2008 nominee Dan Seals – in the general election. Results have not yet gone final in that race. Seals led 48-47 with 97 percent of precincts in. Seals’s margin was less than 750 votes.

The race is expected to be one of the most competitive and expensive open-seat races in the country.

Another top race will be in Rep. Bill Foster’s (D-Ill.) district, where state Sen. Randy Hultgren’s insurgent candidacy was leading attorney Ethan Hastert 54-46 with 75 percent of precincts in.

In other House races, Republican Joe Walsh is set to face Rep. Melissa Bean (D-Ill.) after beating two better-funded candidates with 33 percent of the vote. The race, unlike previous cycles, has not been a top target for the GOP.

And Iraq veteran Adam Kinzinger, an NRCC endorsee, sailed in the primary to face Rep. Debbie Halvorson (D-Ill.) That race could emerge as a top target, but is currently second-tier.