**Illinois has chosen candidates to contest President Barack Obama’s former Senate seat in the first state primary ahead of November’s mid-term elections.**The vote will pit Democratic state treasurer Alexi Giannoulias against Republican Congressman Mark Kirk.
Incumbent Roland Burris, appointed by disgraced former state governor Rod Blagojevich, opted not to stand.
The vote comes just weeks after the Democrats’ shock defeat in the race for a Senate seat in Massachusetts.
Roland Burris, who denies any wrongdoing, has been dogged by ethics complaints since his appointment. He would have faced a tough battle to be the Democrats’ nominee in the race.
The senate seat he holds became vacant when Mr Obama entered the White House.
Contenders for Mr Blagojevic’s post are also being decided by Tuesday’s vote.
The Associated Press reported that as vote-counting was set to resume on Wednesday, both the Democratic and Republican races for governor were close.