Story posted Wednesday, February 3, 2010
10th District Voters Pick Dold, Seals
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
The race to replace U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk (R-10th) in Congress moves from eight candidates to two, as Democrat Dan Seals and Republican Robert Dold were victorious in their primary races and will square off in November's election.
The Republican race was decided early with Dold handily defeating State Rep. Elizabeth Coulson by an unofficial vote of 19,472 (37%) to 15,969 (31%). Dick Green received 14% of the Republican primary vote, Arie Friedman received 13% and Paul Hamann received only 2%.
The Democratic race went down to the wire with Seals edging out Julie Hamos by just 2% of the vote, or about 600 votes, in an unofficial tally of 25,275 to 24,292. Elliot Richardson received 2,811 votes, or 5%.
Hamos carried Cook County by just 384 votes but could not beat Seals in Lake County away from her North Shore base.
Seals greeted a jubilant crowd at his victory party at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove saying was he was honored by the grassroots support he received within the district while stressing his independence.
Seals set a high priority on getting people back to work and increasing local economic development.
In this November's election, Seals will have the advantage of name recognition, having run against Kirk in the last two general elections, losing by narrow margins.
"I called Dan Seals and said, 'Tomorrow we become one big Democratic family again'," Hamos told the Journal at her election night party in Deerfield on Tuesday, Feb. 2, saying she would support Seals' candidacy.
She thanked supporters for running an issue orientated campaign saying she fought a great uphill battle of a campaign that came close to winning.
"I have no regrets," said Hamos.
U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-9th) and State Rep. Elaine Nekritz (D-57th) were among Hamos' supporters at her election night event.
The scene at Dold headquarters in Winnetka was jubilant with several hundred in attendance. Dold was seen giving big hugs to many of his supporters as a constant ear to ear smile never seemed to leave his face.
"I'm proud that the voters gave me their vote of confidence last night," said Dold in a written statement Wednesday morning. "I cannot tell you how grateful and appreciate I am for all the support I've received."
Coulson's supporters at an election night event at Hackney's on Lake restaurant in Glenview were more low-key. Coulson stayed out of sight until she after she had called Dold to concede at about 9 p.m.
"I pledged to do whatever I can to assist Bob in the general election because I recognize how important it is to keep this seat in Republican hands," said Coulson in a written statement Wednesday morning. "Victory in the 10th District may well usher in Republican control of the House."
"I never enjoyed the politics, I enjoyed the policy," said Coulson in her concession speech. "We kept things on a positive note and didn't stoop to any tactics I couldn't live in my district with," said Coulson.
Supporters echoed that theme.
"It's a tremendous loss for the district. She represents what the (Republican) party is about," said Evanston Republican Virginia Mann. "The extremes have taken over the party and destroyed it."
What's next for Coulson, who has served in the Illinois General Assembly for the last 13 years, isn't totally clear. In her concession, she said, "If any of you need a good physical therapist..."
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