Cook County 6th District Commissioner Donna Miller prevailed over a 10-candidate field Tuesday, March 17, to represent the Democratic Party in the general election for 2nd District U.S. House seat.
Her closest competitor was former 2nd District Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr.
The Associated Press called the race at 8:16 p.m. when Miller had nearly 41% of the vote to Jackson Jr.’s almost 29%. State Sen. Robert Peters and Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Yumeka Brown were running a distant third and fourth, respectively.
preview interview. (Provided photo/Bionic Content)
In a speech to supporters, Miller reaffirmed the issues she plans to focus on if she is elected in November.
“The voters in the 2nd District sent a message tonight,” she said. “You will send someone … who focusses on the issues that matter to this district, like lower cost of living, education is important to this district … strengthening the Affordable Care Act, codifying reproductive healthcare, expanding Medicare and Medicaid, veterans benefits, and creating jobs. And bringing the first commercial flight to take off at the South Suburban Airport.”
Miller will face Republican Michael Noack in November. He ran unopposed in the primary.
U.S. Senate race
At 9:38 p.m., the AP called Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton the winner of the Democratic race for U.S. Senate. Stratton was leading the Democratic race with 39.8% to U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s 33.3% and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly’s 18.3%. Kelly currently represents the U.S. House 2nd District, which includes Homewood and Flossmoor.
The winner of that race will face Republican Don Tracy, who won the Republican nomination, according to the Associated Press, with almost 40% of the vote.
Cook County Board
In the race to replace Miller on the Cook County Board, Patricia Joan “Trish” Murphy led with almost 37% of the vote with 183 of 190 precincts reporting. Her closest competitor was Wasem Shahed, with 32.8%.
The Republican Party did not a field a candidate.
In the Cook County 5th District, incumbent Kisha McCaskill had 53.6% of the vote with 144 of 149 precincts reporting, leading challenger Kiana Belcher, who had 46.4%.
The winner of that race will face Republican Richard Nolan, who ran unopposed.
Most Democratic and Republican party committeepersons in the area ran unopposed, with two exceptions.
State Sen. Napoleon Harris III, who also serves as Thornton Township supervisor, was leading challenger Stephanie Wiedeman with 65% of the vote to her 35% for the Thornton Township Democratic committee role.
In Bremen Township Carolyn R. Carter led with 55.8% of the vote over Kathryn “Kathy” Straniero’s 44.2% in the Democratic contest.
Referenda
Three referenda on the Thornton Township ballot each were approved by wide margins.
Property tax rebates received 20,267 yes votes, or 94.3% with 97% of the votes counted. Establishing a public medical district had 18,960 yes votes, or 87.9%. Expanding the township assistance program had 20,078 yes votes or 92.6%.
In Rich Township, a measure to abate property taxes received 15,347 yes votes, or 95.7%, with 98% of votes cast, to 663 or 4.1% no votes.
