Democrat Tammy Duckworth defeats GOP Sen. Mark Kirk in Illinois

Democrats have just won their first official Senate pickup of the night, with Rep. Tammy Duckworth easily defeating incumbent Republican Sen. Mark Kirk in Illinois.
The race was called by various media outlets as soon as the polls closed, based on the preliminary exit poll suggesting that Duckworth could potentially take 58 percent of the vote.
Duckworth is an Iraq War veteran, who lost both of her legs when the helicopter she was piloting was shot down by an insurgent rocket.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kirk, who is considered to be a socially moderate Republican, was narrowly elected in the 2010 midterm Republican wave, picking up the Senate seat formerly held by President Obama. He was widely viewed as the underdog this year, with this race seen as the single most obvious potential gain for Democrats.
Kirk made headlines in the final weeks of the campaign, however, when he lobbed a racially-charged attack at Duckworth during a debate. Duckworth, who was born in Thailand to an ethnic Chinese mother and a white American father, stated that she was a "Daughter of the American Revolution," with her family having served in the U.S. military for wars throughout history. Kirk then responded: "I had forgotten your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington."
Duckworth then responded: "There's been members of my family serving on my father's side since the American Revolution… I'm proud of both my father's side and my mother, who's an immigrant."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Escape to the Scottish countryside at Dunkeld House Hotel
The Week Recommends Roam, revive and relax at this luxury hotel in a wooded riverside Perthshire estate
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US
-
Liverpool's Anfield redemption: how did they do it?
Talking Point Arne Slot's blueprint and standout player performances guide the Reds to record 20th league title
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK
-
Codeword: April 29, 2025
The Week's daily codeword puzzle
By The Week Staff
-
Trump's 100-day approval ratings at historic low
Speed Read Americans appear to be wary of Trump's sweeping tariffs and handling of the economy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US
-
Judge blocks key part of Trump's elections overhaul
Speed Read Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's decision temporarily bars federal officials from requiring Americans to prove they are citizens to register to vote
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Hegseth's chief of staff joins Pentagon exodus
Speed Read Joe Kasper has stepped down, leaving the Defense Secretary 'increasingly isolated'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
A dozen states sue Trump to halt tariffs
Speed Read The states sued in the US Court of International Trade, seeking to stop tariffs they say will damage their economies
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump blames Zelenskyy for peace deal setbacks
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected the US proposal, which includes Russia's takeover of Crimea
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Musk vows DOGE pullback as Tesla profits plunge
Speed Read The Tesla SEO says he will soon step back from government matters to devote more time to the company
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
IMF sees slump from tariffs, Trump tries to calm markets
Speed Read The International Monetary Fund predicts the U.S. and global economies will slow significantly due to the president's trade war
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
DHS chief Kristi Noem's purse stolen from eatery
Speed Read Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's purse was stolen while she dined with family at a restaurant in Washington, D.C.
By Peter Weber, The Week US