By Gary Barlow

Staff writer

In a race that pitted two incumbent legislators against each other after one decided to avoid a challenge from lesbian activist Deborah Mell, Democratic Ill. state Sen. Iris Martinez held on to her seat, defeating state Rep. Richard Bradley.

With 94 percent of the votes counted, Martinez held a 51-42 percent lead over Bradley.

Bradley challenged Martinez after Mell announced her bid for Bradley’s seat. In turn, Mell’s father, powerful 33rd Ward Ald. Richard Mell, backed Bradley’s bid for Martinez’ seat.

But Martinez, who’s been a reliable vote on GLBT issues in the Illinois Legislature, was endorsed by Deb Mell, as well as Equality Illinois.

Deb Mell ran unopposed in her race for the Democratic nomination to succeed Bradley. With a victory in the general election in November, she’ll become the first openly lesbian legislator in Illinois history, joining openly gay Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) in Springfield. Harris also ran unopposed in the Feb. 5 primary.

By Matt Simonette

Staff writer

Heather Steans is set to take over the North Side lakefront seat of outgoing state Sen. Carol Ronen (D-Chicago) after receiving 63 percent of the vote Tuesday. Steans’ opponent, Suzanne Elder, captured 37 percent of the vote.

Elder charged that Steans was essentially handpicked by Ronen’s camp and had received numerous endorsements from local politicians even before her candidacy was announced.

During a debate last month, the candidates briefly argued over gay marriage. After Steans voiced her support for the current civil unions bill, Elder called the proposal “a compromise” and said that activists need to focus their energy on passing gay marriage legislation.

Elder further questioned why Steans did not mention supporting gay marriage on her campaign website, but Steans later clarified her support for same-sex marriage and changed both her website and newspaper advertisements to reflect that.

Steans was endorsed by openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris and Equality Illinois.