Republicans grab state election wins

November 12, 2008
By Greta Myers
Staff Writer

Incumbents representing legislative districts in Central Illinois won by ample margins on November 4.

In the contest for the 99th District seat of the Illinois House,   Rep. Raymond Poe, R-Springfield beat Democrat Kent Delay of Springfield.   A spurt of radio and TV ads just prior to the election was not enough for Delay to overcome the popular and well funded incumbent, who won 64 percent to 36 percent.

Sen. Larry Bomke, R-Springfield, retained his seat in the Illinois Senate in a 3-to-1 win over Democrat John Devine of Athens in the race in the Republican stronghold of the 50th District.   Bomke, a 14-year veteran in the General Assembly, had the added advantage of ads which showcased  him asking for the impeachment of  Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who has an approval rating of 13 percent in Sangamon county.

Rep. Rich Myers, R-Colchester, also played on the governor’s unpopularity in his win over Democrat Earl Godt for the seat in the 94th District of the Illinois House by reminding voters that electing a Republican will help keep Blagojevich in check.    Myers beat Godt 66 percent to 34 percent.
Rep. Gary Hanning, D-Litchfield, a 20-year veteran of the Illinois House, beat retired businessman, Republican James Curry of Carlinville  in the 98th district.  Hanning raised substantial amounts during the campaign, while Curry’s fundraising efforts were beneath the $3,000 minimum required by the state for campaign disclosure reports.    Hanning won by over a 2-1 margin.

Illinois voters were apparently content in keeping the state’s constitution as is, by rejecting a call for a constitutional convention, 68 percent to 32 percent.  Opponents of “con-con”, which included teachers unions, business organizations and former governor, Jim Edgar, stressed that it was the politicians, not the constitution that was causing problems in Illinois government.    Con-con supporter, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, said that his side’s funding deficit, and a poorly worded and confusing question on the Tuesday’s ballot made it impossible for the measure to pass.