Harold Vs. Raoul In November: Attorney General Primary Results

SPRINGFIELD, IL — A state senator appointed to Barack Obama's former seat and an ex-Miss America winner/attorney will duke it out to become the next Illinois attorney general with current Attorney General Lisa Madigan out of the running. Erika Harold is the projected winner of the Republican primary for attorney general, defeating Gary Grasso, while Sen. Kwame Raoul emerged from a crowded field of Democrats in Tuesday's primary.

Madigan in September announced she would not be seeking a fifth term as attorney general, enticing challengers from both parties to throw their hats into the ring. Upon announcing her decision, Madigan said it was "the right time for me to seek a new challenge."

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Harold, crowned Miss America in 2003, announced her candidacy in August. Harold, 37, has served on the Illinois Supreme Court Committee on Equality and the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. In 2014, she lost a Republican primary for a U.S. House seat.

Raoul, 53, was appointed in 2004 to replace Barack Obama upon his election to the U.S. Senate. He faced off against seven other Democrats, including former Gov. Pat Quinn, in the primary, emerging victorious with a projected 30.5 percent of the vote.

Harold, meanwhile, faced former Burr Ridge mayor and current DuPage County Board member Gary Grasso in the Republican primary, becoming the projected winner with 59.4 percent of the vote.

Images: Democratic State Sen. Kwame Raoul (left) and Republican attorney Erika Harold (provided photos)