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WNIJ's summary of news items around our state.

LaHood Wins 18th Congressional Seat

senatorlahood.com

Illinois State Senator Darin LaHood was elected the next Congressman for the 18th District.

The Peoria Republican beat Democrat Rob Mellon of Quincy by capturing nearly 70 percent of the vote in yesterday’s special election. 

LaHood says he’s humbled by the results.

“When you set a goal over six months and you’re rewarded here tonight with the kind of response we got, it’s a good feeling,” LaHood said.

LaHood says an immediate priority is hiring local district staff. He says he will resign from the state senate before getting sworn into Congress next week.

“So we can have the best constituent service and best represent this district, and then next week at some point we’ll have to go out to DC and hit the ground running out there,” LaHood said.

LaHood replaces Aaron Schock, who resigned earlier this year amid questions surrounding office and campaign spending.

LaHood goes to Washington with certain advantages, according Northern Illinois University political scientist Matt Streb. Streb notes LaHood’s father, Ray, was a longtime member of the House.

“He will come in having connections that other freshmen members of Congress don’t have,” Streb said. “And that might allow him to open some doors that other people might not be able to.”

Streb says those connections will help the younger LaHood raise money for the 20-16 campaign. Nevertheless, Streb says, Darin LaHood will be judged on his own record.

  • WCBU’s Alex Rusciano and WNIJ’s Dan Klefstad contributed to this report.
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