Despite what's being considered Illinois' lowest voter turnout ever for a primary election, some big winners emerged from Tuesday's contest.
Perhaps the clearest winner was Democratic U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. After a bitter, mud-slinging race, Jackson took the 2nd Congressional District from Debbie Halvorson with 71.2 percent of the vote.
"This victory may be the most meaningful of all," Jackson told a crowd of supporters Tuesday, "and I'm proud, very proud, to again by the Democratic nominee." Halvorson conceded the race, and Jackson, who won his first office in 1995, looks to another two years in Congress.
While a veteran won in the 2nd, in the 16th, a freshman Republican beat out 17-year congressional Rep. Don Manzullo in an incumbent-vs.-incumbent race. U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger, elected in 2010, won a much closer race than Jackson-Halvorson's with 56 percent, according to the Associated Press.
Through his campaign and into his Election Night speech, Kinzinger maintained it's time for a new set of younger lawmakers to make their mark.
"Voters want to put that faith in the new generation of conservative leaders," he said.
In the 8th, former Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tammy Duckworth handily beat Raja Krishnamoorthi 67 percent to 33 percent.
"I am so proud to be standing here in front of you, ready to bring back common sense and practical solutions to Washington because that's what the residents of the 8th district need. That's what they deserve," Duckworth told supporters in Homewood.
Duckworth goes on to compete against Joe Walsh.
Dorothy Brown, the incumbent clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court, defeated challenger Ald. Ricardo Muñoz to win her fourth term. With nearly 90 percent of precincts reporting, Brown led with 64.7 percent of the vote.
"Lies and insults don't work," Brown said of the accusation-filled race. "Today, voters are smarter than that. Today, you the voter's lined-up on the right side, the Dorothy Brown side and I won't let you down."
Let the race continue.
