The Symbolic Seats

House and Senate districts formerly held by political bigwigs have gone both ways tonight. Vice President Joe Biden’s former Senate seat in Delaware went to Democrat Chris Coons, and Rahm Emanuel’s former House seat, the Land of Lincoln’s 5th District, stayed within the party, with Democrat Mike Quigley racking up some 70% of the vote. President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat, however, seems likely to flip. At this writing, Republican Mark Kirk leads Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, 48%-46%, with 94% of precincts reporting. The GOP reclaimed Illinois’ 14th District, the old stomping ground of former House Speaker Dennis Hastert. Republican Randy Hultgren, who beat Hastert’s son Ethan in the GOP primary topped incumbent Democrat Bill Foster in the general.