State Highlights

The Democratic wave that washed across Illinois two years ago receded on Tuesday, with voters narrowly electing a Republican to the Senate seat vacated by President Obama and at least three Republicans to House seats currently held by Democrats.

The race for governor was still too close to call on Wednesday, with the Democratic incumbent, Patrick J. Quinn, holding a slim lead over Bill Brady, a Republican state senator from downstate. The verdict was also out on the winner of the Eighth Congressional District race, where the Republican challenger, Joe Walsh, held a narrow edge over the Democratic incumbent, Melissa Bean.

The Senate race held symbolic meaning for both parties because it was for Mr. Obama’s former seat. Mark Steven Kirk, a five-term Republican congressman from the Chicago suburbs, held a significant fund-raising advantage over Alexi Giannoulias, the Democratic state treasurer. Senator Roland W. Burris, a Democrat who was appointed to the post temporarily, did not run.

Republicans picked up Congressional seats in the 14th District, where the Republican, Randy Hultgren, upset the Democratic incumbent, Bill Foster; in the 17th, where Representative Phil Hare lost to the Republican, Bobby Schilling; and in the 11th, where the Republican challenger, Adam Kinzinger, unseated Representative Debbie Halvorson.

KATIE THOMAS