Obama, Ryan lead Ill. senate race

CHICAGO, March 9 (UPI) -- With a week until the Illinois primaries for an open U.S. Senate seat, Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Jack Ryan lead their party's contenders.

Obama had the support of 33 percent of likely primary voters, compared with 19 percent for state Comptroller Dan Hynes and 16 percent for Blair Hull, according to a Chicago Tribune/WGN-TV, Chicago, survey released Tuesday.

Ryan had 32 percent, compared with 11 percent for investment dealer and boutique dairy owner Jim Oberweis and 10 percent for businessman Andy McKenna Jr.

Next Tuesday's race will narrow the field of those seeking to succeed Peter Fitzgerald, the outgoing Republican senator.

The Market Shares Corp. poll was conducted March 3-6 of 602 Democratic and 580 Republican likely voters. Margin of error was 4 percentage points.