Candidates gave themselves all the help they could on Tuesday, casting their ballots and sending out final messages to voters as the Illinois primaries were underway.
In typical election-day style, the candidates stopped by Manny's deli, a Chicago institution near the UIC campus on South Jefferson St. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias, Cook County Board President hopeful Dorothy Brown, Scott Lee Cohen from the Lieutenant Governor's race, and many others stopped by for a bite and a pander, though NBC Chicago reports that "patrons seemed more concerned about the potato pancakes."
Many also took time on the soapbox as they cast their own votes. Governor Pat Quinn, who is facing a vigorous primary challenge from Comptroller Dan Hynes, wore his lucky tie to the ballot box near his home on the Northwest Side of Chicago, according to the AP. He told reporters he believed the energy of his volunteers would push him over the top. But he also prepared himself for the worst, citing the old adage: "One day a peacock, the next day a feather duster."
Watch interviews with other candidates as they cast their ballots and exit the polls:
Richard Daley, Chicago Mayor:
Pat Quinn, Governor of Illinois:
Dan Hynes, Democrat for Governor:
Jim Ryan, Republican for Governor:
Toni Preckwinkle, Democrat for Cook County Board President:
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