Have they announced the winner in IL-14 yet?

[SharonRB]

The last thing I can find online says it was too close to call between Laesch and Foster, with Foster having a slight lead. I hope Leasch pulled it off, but it sounded doubtful.

Glad to see that Dan Seals won handily!

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

1. Last I saw it was Foster & Oberweis.

I voted for Laesch, but I'm happy with Foster, too. ANYTHING but the milk nazi.


On edit: Here's the link:
http://www.kanecountyelections.org/ElectionResults/electionresults.asp

From this thread:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x2823812

[SharonRB]

2. Thanks

Last thing I saw only had 92% reporting. Damn! I really wanted to see Laesch win, but now I guess you just have to beat the milk nazi.

[TheDoorbellRang]

3. Here you go, from link at Chicago Tribune

Special Primary election results:

U.S. House Special - District 14 - Dem Special Primary
568 of 568 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Foster, Bill Dem 31,792 49%
Laesch, John Dem 28,053 43%
Stein, Jotham Dem 4,949 8%

U.S. House Special - District 14 - GOP Special Primary
568 of 568 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Oberweis, Jim GOP 41,029 56%
Lauzen, Chris GOP 32,014 44%


General Primary election results:

U.S. House - District 14 - Dem Primary
568 of 568 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Foster, Bill Dem 31,910 42%
Laesch, John Dem 31,587 42%
Serra, Joe Dem 5,947 8%
Stein, Jotham Dem 5,757 8%

U.S. House - District 14 - GOP Primary
568 of 568 Precincts Reporting - 100%
Name Party Votes Vote %
Oberweis, Jim GOP 43,909 56%
Lauzen, Chris GOP 32,027 41%
Dilger, Michael GOP 1,826 2%


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/files/elections/2008/by_state/IL_US_House_Special_0205.html?SITE=ILCHTELN&SECTION=POLITICS

While I was looking at results last night, I noticed a lot of folks that didn't vote in the special that had voted in the general. The whole set up was more than a little confusing. Now here's a strange little factoid from the above numbers: 4,719 Republicans voting in the race neglected to vote in the special primary race, but 10,407 Democrats did not vote in the special after they had already voted in the general. Why is that, I wonder? Were the Repubs better at explaining the set up to their peeps?

On an optimistic note, the final tallies for Rs vs Ds was pretty close in a district that from what I hear has been roughly 2 to 1 for Rs for years: Total Rs voting in the 14th district general was 77,762; total Ds voting in the same was 75,201. In Kane County -- a big slice of the district -- final tallies in the presidential race were 41040 Rs voting vs 40754 Ds voting.

[stevebreeze]

4. John has not yet conceded

they are delaying until certain all the early voting and absentee is counted. I don't really know when they get added in. It makes sense to me that he should wait and be certain, Laesch clearly had much more grass roots organizing behind him so it seems rational that they would have more early and absentee votes. I voted for John myself, but hope this is cleared up soon, and without unnecessary rancor. John would have been the better choice in my view but Bill's a pretty good guy too! I just want this seat to go blue.

[SharonRB]

5. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for John

I just read at Down With Tyranny that the absentees hadn't been counted yet and that there may be a recount. I can't believe how close this came!

[stevebreeze]

7. John has conceded the special election but not the general

so this could be weird if he is able to win the race for the November election.

[SharonRB]

8. I've got my fingers crossed for him.

I hope he can pull it off.

[TheDoorbellRang]

9. I can't see that helping Democrats here at all

I guess if Foster loses against Oberweis in March, then Laesch should go for it. But if Foster wins in March, I hope Laesch bows out gracefully so that Foster can trounce Oberweis again in the fall. This election was confusing enough for most voters without adding even more strangeness.

[stevebreeze]

10. it could work out in the following seanario...

I am going to make some assumptions here but Kane is the only collar county that did NOT take a majority of Dem ballots, perhaps on the Congressional race. It is harder to get democratic voters out for a number of reasons. Those two facts make it harder to win for Foster in March. Should he loose to Obrewies, it would seem possible that voters may be more willing to vote a fresh face in Nov, when historically more democratic voters come out anyway. Just speculating....I will be workin my hinnie off for Foster in any case for now until March 8

[AtLiberty]

6. Absentees and provisional ballots haven't been counted yet...

In an election this close, the results can easily flip.

[rosesaylavee]

11. Results for the 14th as of today

Not sure what the status is with the absentee ballot count but would think they would have that done by now? :shrug: As per the website, this is where its at today.

Registered Voters: 211584
Ballots Cast: 41169
Turnout: 19.50%
223 of 223 Precincts Reporting


Special election

Bill Foster 15601 48.50%

John Laesch 11204 34.83%

Regular primary

Bill Foster 15824 38.36%

John Laesch 13375 32.42%

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Personally, I think we have a very solid candidate in Foster and just maybe the best chance in decades... maybe ever ... in getting a Democratic rep here in the 14th. I think Foster has a broader appeal than Laesch and others who have tried for that position.