The primary was two weeks ago, but Republicans are no closer to determining their nominee for governor in Illinois. Bill Brady (R) still clings to a razor-thin lead over fellow state Sen. Kirk Dillard (R) today, which is the deadline for local election boards to count absentee and provisional ballots.

In a statement issued this afternoon, Dillard says he will wait at least a week before making any decisions about his candidacy. "We believe we have continued to pick up votes and close the gap with Senator Brady. However, we have not been able to get a firm number on all of the ballots," Dillard says. "The election authorities have until February 23rd to report their totals to the Illinois Board of Elections. As a result, we are still waiting to see what that final count is before determining our next course of action."

Unofficial results on election night showed Brady ahead by just over 400 votes; various reports today indicate that Dillard may indeed be closing the gap as absentee votes are tallied. Both candidates received just over 20 percent of the vote in the wide-open race.

Waiting for an opponent is Gov. Pat Quinn (D), who won a hotly-contested Democratic primary against state Comptroller Dan Hynes. But he, too, has an unresolved issue -- he and state Democrats need to choose a new candidate for lieutenant governor. Scott Lee Cohen was forced to withdraw over revelations of past charges for battery, as well as steroid use.