After experiencing some technical difficulties regarding the electronic voting machines as well as a late night power outage that affected precincts on the west side of Decatur, County Clerk Steve Bean as well as several other election officials worked well into 2 a.m. in order to get all the ballots cast.
A quick rundown of all the races…
13th Congressional District: (R) Rodney Davis vs. (D) David Gill vs. (I) John Hartman
In one of the most hotly contested congressional races in recent memory, it was only fitting that the results wouldn’t be known until the early morning hours.
After a power outage affected some voting precincts in Decatur late Tuesday night election officials were forced to tally votes well after 2 a.m.
After a long process that saw supporters of David Gill’s campaign wait at the Macon county Clerk’s office as they tallied the final votes, republican candidate Rodney Davis was declared the winner.
Upon winning, Davis said,
"I stand here truly in awe of the support I have received in this campaign and by the overwhelming number of people who cast their vote for me."
Davis awaited the results from his hometown of Taylorville, surrounded by family and close friends.
48th State Senate: (R) Mike McElroy vs. (D) Andy Manar
In what turned out to be one of the more competitive races here in Illinois, Democrat Andy Manar will be the State Senator for the 48th district.
Decatur Mayor Mike McElroy was his opponent, and he said he is happy that he ran, and that he plans on returning to Decatur and continuing his Mayorship…
“I couldn’t have asked for anymore; I am very vortunate with the people who have gotten behind me and helped me with this. It is remarkable and has been a great journey for me, I am very happy that I did it. I have every intention to stay as mayor, Decatur is doing real, real well, with the City Manager and City Council, I am proud to be part of that.”
McElroy did not comment on whether he would run again when the opportunity arises.
Much like the 13th congressional race, the winner was not announced until well after 2 a.m.
96th State Representative (R) Dennis Shackelford vs. (D) Sue Scherer
Sue Scherer defeated her opponent Dennis Shackelford in what was one of the more lopsided races to become the State Representative for the 96th District.
Scherer used her large budget to keep her name in the front of voters’ minds by sending a lot of political mail to everyone in her district. At her victory party she said she was elated with the win and is ready for a new challenge...
“I am very happy; it’s a real honor and a huge responsibility.”
The former teacher was the only woman running for any political seat here in Central Illinois.
In a couple of uncontested races, Bill Mitchell (R) is now the State Representative in the 101st District. At a small gathering at the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel, Mitchell said that since he didn’t have an opponent in this race, he was focusing a lot of his time on plans to fix the various problems that ail the state of Illinois.
Chapin Rose (R) became the State Senator in the 51st district and Jay Scott (D) defeated Dan Hassinger (R) in the race for Macon County State’s Attorney.
