POST-ELECTION NEWS ON WGFA for Wednesday, November 5, 2008 >
Obama is President-elect; will be first black U-S President…. Halvorson wins 11th District, Johnson cruises in 15th, Schock defeats WGFA’s Callahan in 18th….. Devine, Boyd win State’s Attorney races….. Iroquois County Board incumbents win re-election….. Democrats take control in Newton County, IN…..
At least another day of sunshine and warmth in Illiana—high today near 73. Showers likely Thursday.
– Election News, Sports, Weather on the links at WGFARADIO.COM
Change has come to America. So says the man slated to become the 44th president of the United States. Barack Obama told cheering throngs in Chicago’s Grant Park Tuesday that, quote, “this is your victory.” Republicans closed the race for the presidency on a gracious note Tuesday. Arizona Senator John McCain called to congratulate his Democratic rival and urged supporters in Phoenix to come together behind their new president. President Bush also called Barack Obama and reportedly told him, quote, “You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life.”
Illinois’ Assistant Senate Majority is headed to Congress. Democrat Debbie Halvorson defeated Marty Ozinga and Jason Wallace to the 11th District seat vacated by the retiring Congressman Jerry Weller. U-S Representative Tim Johnson is headed toward a 5th term in Congress. He handily defeated political newcomer Steve Cox. The Urbana Republican had a 65-35 percent lead with more than three-quarters of the precincts reporting in the 15th District. Republicans remain in control of the 18th District as Aaron Schock won his bid to succeed U-S Representative Ray LaHood in Congress. Schock had a 59-38 percent lead over WGFA Farm Broadcaster Colleen Callahan with 89% of the vote counted. The 27-year-old Schock will become the youngest member of Congress.
Local races gave Jim Devine a win over Dale Strough in the Iroquois County State’s Attorney battle. Jamie Boyd held on to the Prosecutor’s job in Kankakee County with a win over Democrat J. Imani Drew.
Republican incumbents and the lone Democrat on the Iroquois County Board held on to their seats. District 1 veterans Meryl Lemanager and Ron Schroeder were winners; so was Democrat James Meyer. In District 2, Russell Bills and Troy Krumweide won a four-person race. And in District 5, three GOP newcomers won voters approval. James McCray, Charles Ault and Dan Pursley will be sworn in in December.
Democratic candidates in Newton County, INDIANA apparently road the coat-tails of Barack Obama. Kimberly Anderson defeated Republican John Hall 51-49% for Clerk of the Circuit Court. Democrat Scott McCord squeaked by Republican Kyle Conrad for Coroner 50-49%. For County Commissioner District 3, Democrat James Pistello edged Scott Carlson 50-49%. District 1 Commissioner finds Russell Collins Jr. a winner over Democrat Charles Hall. For County Council, Republican Scott Madison and Roger Saxon and Democrat Denny Rainford were winners. Republican Rosalie Mathis won ehr County Treasurer’s race over Mary Whitaker 59-40%.
—WGFA NEWS —a leader in Illiana Election coverage… on 94.1
