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CHICAGO, ILL. (AP) -- Democrats running for President Barack Obama's old Senate seat acknowledged this evening that yesterday's Massachusetts election created problems for them in Illinois.

Democrats are reeling nationwide after Republican Scott Brown's surprise victory in a special election to replace the late Sen. Edward Kennedy in reliably Democratic Massachusetts.

Former City of Chicago inspector general David Hoffman said during tonight's debate at Chicago's WTTW-TV that this year is going to be a difficult one for Democrats.

Hoffman is one of five Democrats running for Obama's seat in the Feb. 2 primary.

The winner will face the Republican nominee from a crowded GOP field that includes early front-runner Mark Kirk, a congressman from Chicago's northern suburbs.

Also appearing in the debate were Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (jeh-NOO'-lee-ehs) and Chicago Urban League chief Cheryle Jackson.

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