Democrat Mendoza Beats Republican Munger In State Comptroller Race

(CBS) -- Chicago City Clerk Susana Mendoza on Tuesday defeated incumbent Republican state Comptroller Leslie Munger in a race that effectively pitted political enemies House Speaker Michael Madigan against Gov. Bruce Rauner.

Republican Rauner appointed Munger to the constitutional office after the 2014 death of Judy Baar Topinka. Munger's campaign had been infused with cash from Rauner and other wealthy Republican donors.

Mendoza, a former state lawmaker aligned with organized labor, served in the state House under Madigan's leadership. Rauner and Munger tried to make the Madigan connection a liability.

Mendoza, however, edged Munger with a 49-percent-to-45-percent margin on Election Night.

Munger and Mendoza were expected to spend four times what Topinka and democrat Sheila Simon shelled out in their 2014 comptroller race.