Politics of Wall Street: Race for 'Obama' Senate Seat

Giannoulias also wants to create a special exchange for all over-the-counter derivative transactions to "rein in the unregulated multitrillion-dollar derivatives market" and supports a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that "protects consumers from home loans, credit card fees, payday loans and other forms of consumer finance that hide costs."

In the world of derivatives, investment banks such as Goldman Sachs play a central role. In July, Goldman announced a new global clearing service for all listed and OTC derivatives and noted that "clients will be faced with new reporting, connectivity, and regulatory requirements."

For investors, the race for this Illinois seat in the U.S. Senate is worth keeping any eye on because the politics of Wall Street are in play. Check back each Friday for more "Politics of Wall Street" columns that explore election issues from an investor's perspective.

For more details on the candidates, you can visit their political Web sites here (in alphabetical order by last name):

>Mark Steven Kirk

>Alexi Giannoulias

--Written by Glenn Hall in New York.

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