Tom Cross Concedes Defeat to Mike Frerichs in Illinois Treasurer Race

Two weeks ago, Cross led Frerichs by around 21,000 votes

Ending a post-election stand-off, Republican Tom Cross has accepted defeat to Democrat Mike Frerichs in the hotly contested battle to be Illinois treasurer.  

"With the final votes counted, this election now has a conclusive outcome and I have congratulated Sen. Frerichs on a hard-fought victory. Sen, Frerichs has demonstrated time and time again his commitment to our state and that will serve all of us well as he becomes Illinois’ next state treasurer," said Cross in a statement Wednesday.

Two weeks ago, Cross led Frerichs by around 20,000 votes. But ballots had yet to be counted, and as results trickled in, the gap between the two candidates closed signicantly amid loud complaints from Cross' campaign.

"While there are as many as 1,000 ballots still to count across Illinois, this race is being decided by tens of thousands of Rauner-Frerichs voters: independents in suburbs from Winnetka to Orland Park, from Waukegan to Joliet in the collar counties, and from Rock Island to deep Southern Illinois. Both candidates brought original ideas to a spirited public debate," Frerichs spokesman Dave Clarkin told Ward Room, referencing Republican Gov.-Elect Bruce Rauner's Nov. 4 victory.

Frerichs, a state senator, is slated to give a speech at 3 p.m. in Springfield. He will step into his new position to replace GOP Treasurer Dan Rutherford in January.

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