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The unknown political climate and the all incumbents who were seeking reelection
Primary election significantly reduced the were successful.
amount of legislation that moved during the The most interesting outcome in the
first half of the legislative calendar. This election was the margin that candidates won
was generally positive because much of the by. Democrats turned out in the primary at
legislation has negative impact on financial rates much higher than expected, throughout
institutions. The Primary election occurred the state. Republicans turned out about as
on March 20th, and now much of that expected from a statewide perspective. Almost
legislation may start to see the light of day. 1.3 million Democrats voted in the election
This is especially true because of the results overall, and just over 700,000 Republicans
of the Primary. voted. As a point of comparison, only about
There were not many actual upsets in 1.4 million people voted in the 2014 general
terms of unexpected candidates winning election, the last off-presidential election
against established legislators on March year. In the 2014 primary election, there
20th. Sitting Senator, Silverstein was beat in were 837,000 Republican ballots pulled, and
his contentious Democrat primary. He was 500,000 Democratic ballots pulled. There
plagued by ongoing allegations of sexual are likely many reasons for this spike in
harassment in his North Suburban district. Democratic voting, including the crowded field
Ram Villalam beat Silverstein, and does not of Democratic candidates for Governor and
currently face a Republican in his senatorial Attorney General, but the generally agreed upon
bid. The district is safely Democrat. David reason seems to be in response to the national
Reis, a sitting Republican House member political environment and the current unpopular
was also beat in his primary to retain his seat Republican President.
near Effingham. Reis’s opponent, Bailey, The Primary outcome does spell trouble
was funded by conservative Republican for Rauner, regardless of the reasoning
advocate Daniel Proft and wealthy for the results. Rauner faced a tough
Republican Dick Uhlein. This district is not reelection Primary against conservative State
in play for the General election, as it is safely Representative Ives, who came within 20,000
Republican. Other than these two elections, votes, or about 3 points, despite being vastly
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March 2018 IllInoIs RepoRteR
