33rd Senate District Election Results: Penman Projected To Win

Danielle Penman of St. Charles is projected to win the Republican primary for Illinois’ 33rd Senate District on Tuesday, defeating Geneva resident Jessica Breugelmans, according to the Associated Press.

The Associated Press called the race for Penman at 10:33 p.m. Tuesday.

With 95% of votes counted, Penman received 6,987 votes, or 59 percent, compared with 4,852 votes, or 41 percent, for Breugelmans, according to unofficial election results.

Penman is expected to face Michele Clark in the Nov. 3 general election. Clark is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Both Penman and Breugelmans ran as first-time candidates.

Penman worked as a nurse for more than two decades and said her experience in the medical field shaped her perspective on public policy. Her campaign emphasized government accountability, fiscal responsibility and policies aimed at strengthening public safety and schools.

Health care and family issues were among the areas where Penman said she could offer firsthand expertise, adding that policymakers benefit from having professionals with real-world experience in fields such as medicine and education.

“One of the things we are not talking about are some of the health issues we face here in the state of Illinois, and so to lend a perspective and expertise in that area I think makes me a little more unique,” Penman said during a recent Daily Herald candidate forum.

When it comes to immigration reform, she called for ending state-funded benefits for undocumented immigrants.

Both Breugelmans — a Geneva small business owner and former teacher — and Penman pointed to the cost of living as one of the biggest concerns facing Illinois residents. Rising property taxes, inflation and housing costs are issues they said lawmakers must address in Springfield.

“We need change in Illinois. And we need more representation down in Springfield that reflects the communities that are supposed to be represented by our elected officials,” Penman said during a recent candidate forum. “Going door-to-door, the number one concern is the cost of living and the taxes in the state of Illinois.”

Breugelmans also emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility, while advocating for stronger transparency in schools and policies she said would protect fairness in girls sports.

The 33rd Senate District includes all or parts of West Dundee, Carpentersville, Sleepy Hollow, Campton Hills, Batavia, St. Charles, Geneva, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills and Huntley.

Results remain unofficial and will be certified by the Illinois State Board of Elections in the coming weeks.