Democratic state Sen. Michael Hastings, facing his first general election challenger since winning his first term a decade ago, remained in a close race Wednesday with his Republican opponent Patrick Sheehan for the 19th District seat.
With all but one precinct reporting in Cook County and all precincts reported in Will County, Sheehan was leading by 68 votes: 40,218 for Sheehan and 40,150 for Hastings, according to unofficial results.
Hastings was leading with 69.30% of the vote in Cook County, but Sheehan was leading Will County with 64.32% of the vote.
From the Tavern in the Glen, Sheehan said shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday he was feeling confident as his campaign was watching the results “second by second” and “doing the math.”
“We feel very confident that we’re run a good race and we feel like we’re in the winners circle,” Sheehan said.
Neither Sheehan nor Hastings returned calls Wednesday, but Sheehan posted on his Facebook page he remains optimistic.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker last month called on Hastings to give up his Senate seat, after Hastings had stepped down from an unpaid leadership position but retained the chairmanship of the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee.
Hastings was in a divorce proceeding in which his wife alleged that Hastings was verbally abusive toward her and had at one point battered her at the Frankfort home they shared. Hastings denied the allegations and some voters Tuesday agreed with him.
Voter April Dombrowski supported Hastings as she cast her ballot Tuesday.
“A lot of people go through divorce and I’m not sure how much I believe about what happened behind closed doors,” Dombrowski said.
Dan Devivo, of Joliet, said he voted for Hastings because a candidate’s personal life shouldn’t impact their candidacy.
“Why is it that people’s personal business means they can’t run the other part of their lives?” Devivo said. “People are relatively good.”
Erica Smith, of Joliet, took a ride-share car to vote at the Pilcher Park in New Lenox because of important issues, such as women’s rights, are on the ballot.
“I definitely voted because there’s a lot of important issues going on right now that I wanted to make sure I exercise my right to vote,” Smith said.
Smith said she doesn’t consider a candidate’s personal life when casting a ballot. For her, as a Black woman, Smith said it’s important to vote Democratic.
“That’s what I have, and I don’t have much of a choice,” Smith said.
40th Senate
In the 40th state Senate race, incumbent Democrat Patrick Joyce was leading with 59.02% of the vote over Republican candidate Philip Nagel with 40.97%, according unofficial results.
Celeste Holmes, a spokeswoman for Joyce, said the senator declared victory “and looks forward to continuing to represent everyone in the 40th District.”
Nagel did not respond to requests for comment. On Facebook Wednesday, he wrote that he did not carry the district and thanked his supporters.
“Don’t lose faith or get down,” Nagel wrote. “We are just beginning to realize the power we the people have, and when realized, the people of Illinois will be unstoppable.”
In the 18th state Senate race, incumbent Democrat Bill Cunningham was leading with 53.88% of the vote over Republican candidate Christine Shanahan McGovern, according to unofficial Cook County results.
Canvassing in Cook County will take place from Nov. 22 through Nov. 28, and canvassing in Will County takes place Nov. 29, according to officials.
House races
In the state house races, incumbent Democratic candidates won reelection. Some of the Democratic candidates had sweeping totals, which were boosted by Chicago voters. All results are unofficial until Nov. 29.
Incumbent Democrats William Davis, Mary E. Flowers and Marcus C. Evans Jr. held large leads over the Republican candidates. In the 79th District, Democratic candidate Erin Slone led over Republican candidate Jackie Haas.
Rep. Thaddeus Jones, who is under federal criminal investigation for tax issues involving his campaign funds, was leading 64.60% of the votes, according to unofficial numbers.
Incumbent Democrats Nicholas Smith, Frances Ann Hurley and Kelly M. Burke also held leads over their Republican candidates, according to unofficial results.
In the House, 27th District incumbent Democrat Justin Slaughter was polling ahead with 58.16% of the votes to Republican candidate Beth O’Neil.
In the 29th House District, incumbent Democrat Thaddeus Jones had 64.60% of the vote over Republican candidate Jeffrey Coleman with 35.39%.
Democrat for the 30th District William Davis reported 79.82% of the vote to 20.18% of votes to Republican candidate Patricia Bonk.
In the 31st House race, incumbent Democrat Mary E. Flowers had a sizable lead with 72.67% of the votes to Republican candidate Kenneth Yerkes.
In the 33rd House race, incumbent Marcus C. Evans Jr. also had a sizable lead with 85.15% votes to Republican candidate Quintin Barton.
In the 34th House race, incumbent Democrat Nicholas Smith was leading with 66.95% of the votes over Republican candidate Frederick Walls, according to unofficial results.
In the 35th House race, incumbent Democrat Frances Ann Hurley was leading with 61.84% of the votes to Republican candidate Herb Hebein.
In the 36th House race, incumbent Democrat Kelly Ann Burke was leading with 62.41% of the votes to Republican candidate David Sheppard.
In the 38th House race, incumbent Democrat Debbie Meyers-Martin was leading with 64.01% of the votes to Republican candidate Tom Toolis.
In the 79th District, Democratic candidate Erin Slone was leading with 52.96% over Republican candidate Jackie Haas.
In the 80th House race, incumbent Democrat Anthony DeLuca was leading with 63.46% of the votes to Republican candidate Al Kuypers.
