Incumbent Dan Lipinski (D-Western Springs) survived a vigorous primary challenge and will face Ray Wardingley in the general election in his race for a second term in the U.S. 3rd Congressional District. The district includes portions of Chicago Southwest Side and a number of west and southwest suburbs, including all of Riverside and Brookfield and part of North Riverside.
Lipinski defeated two challengers in the Democratic primary racking up 47,488 votes, almost 57 percent of the vote, according to unofficial returns. John Kelly, who supporters of third candidate John Sullivan accused of being planted in the race by Lipinski forces to divide the anti-Lipinski vote, actually finished second with 20,622 votes or almost 25 percent of the votes. Sullivan, a Cook County state’s attorney who called for a quick withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq, finished third with 15,937 votes, 19 percent of the vote.
Voter Turnout in suburban Cook County was about 25 percent while turnout in Chicago was about 31 percent according to official figures.
In the Republican primary Wardingley, the former Spanky the Clown, easily defeated Arthur Jones, who had past connections to white supremacist and neo-Nazi groups. Wardingley of Chicago received 12,291 votes (71 percent) while Jones received just 5,139 votes (29 percent).
In the U.S. 7th Congressional District, which includes the western portion of North Riverside, incumbent Danny Davis (D-Chicago) racked up 89 percent of the vote to easily sweep aside two challengers to earn renomination.
Statewide races
In races for the Illinois state legislature, there was one upset in the March 21 primary. In the 8th District, which includes North Riverside east of the Desplaines Avenue and Riverside north of 31st Street, incumbent State Rep. Calvin Giles was defeated by newcomer LaShawn Ford. Ford received 8,149 votes (58 percent) to Giles’ 5,998 votes (42 percent). In November, Ford will face R. Glenn Harris, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
In the 21st District, incumbent State Rep.Robert Molaro (D-Chicago) was unopposed as was 41st District State rep. Bob Biggins (R-Elmhurst). Molaro will face Republican Charles Johnson, who also ran unopposed, in the November midterm election. Molaro will not face a challenge in November.
In races for the Illinois State Senate, incumbent Kimberly Lightford easily defeated challenger James T. Smith in the Democratic race for the 4th Senate District. No Republican ran in the primary in the 4th District.
Republican State Sen. Dan Cronin, who ran unopposed in the 21st District, will also face no challenger in November.