Illinois voters choose state amphibian, reptile

The Eastern tiger salamander slipped by two other finalists in balloting for the title of state amphibian, while slow and steady was a winning strategy for the painted turtle in the state reptile race, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn said recently.

"We want to commend each of the candidates for a very strong, positive, educational campaign. While the candidates may live in the muck, they didn't sling any mud in this election. Not one of them went negative," Quinn said in an interview with The Associated Press.

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