Now that the February 2 primary election is over, the Monroe County Democratic Party is getting ready for the November general election.

In the primary election, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias easily won Monroe County. He also won statewide to become the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in the November general election. He will face Republican Mark Kirk in what has been called this year’s most-watched U.S. Senate race in the nation.

The Monroe County Democratic Party took a neutral stance in the many contested statewide Democratic primary races with one exception. The local Democratic Party endorsed Alexi Giannoulias for U.S. Senate in a crowded field of five candidates.

Giannoulias won Monroe County in the primary election receiving 63.3% of the Democratic vote. This was the highest margin of victory Giannoulias received in any of the 102 counties in Illinois.

Monroe County Democratic Party Chairman Alan Pirtle said, “I’m not surprised that Alexi did so well here.  63% percent of the vote in a five-candidate field is very impressive. Alexi has become well-known to voters in Monroe County. He has taken the time to speak at our Democratic dinners and meet voters here. He has toured our entire county and met with local business leaders and elected officials. As a result, he knows the concerns of our residents and our county. I know he will address those as a forceful voice for Monroe County in the U.S. Senate.”

The Monroe County Democratic Party took a neutral stance in the other contested Democratic statewide primary races. In those elections, the following statewide candidates won Monroe County in the Democratic primary: Dan Hynes for Governor; Thomas Castillo for Lieutenant Governor; Robin Kelly for State Treasurer; and, David Miller for State Comptroller. These results were similar to many counties in the area.

The Monroe County Democratic Central Committee will have its reorganization meeting on March 3. At that meeting, the Democratic precinct committee people will vote on the Monroe County Democratic Party’s chairman, vice-chairman, treasurer, and secretary for 2010-2012. Currently, those officers are: Chairman Alan Pirtle; Vice-Chairman Jon Lewis; Secretary Gary Roever; and, Treasurer Jon Lewis.

The Monroe County Democratic Party has until mid-April to slate candidates to run against any county-wide Republican candidates who are presently unopposed.

After the reorganization meeting, the Monroe County Democratic Party will host its annual dinner and silent auction on Thursday, March 25 at Turner Hall in Columbia. Cocktails begin at 5:30 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Last year, several hundred people attended to hear U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, and Illinois AFL-CIO President Michael Carrigan address the crowd. Tickets are $25 each and $30 at the door. Ticket price includes appetizers, dinner, drinks, and a chance to participate in one of the best silent auctions in the area. Tickets can be purchased by calling 281-6833 or at www.monroecountydemocrats.com