9th Congressional District: John Elleson Wins GOP Nomination

A pastor from Arlington Heights has emerged from a four-man field to earn the Republican nomination in the 9th Congressional District. John Elleson, the pastor of Lakewood Chapel, defeated three other Republicans for the chance to square off in the 9th Congressional District against incumbent Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat and House Deputy Minority Whip. She defeated her last GOP challenger by a 2-to-1 margin.

Elleson, 56, made bringing high-paying jobs to the state a centerpiece of his campaign and has called for the rebuilding of public infrastructure. He also supports lower taxes, a balanced budget and a laser defense system, according to his website. He called for changing Chicago from a "corrupt, crime ridden city" to a "city that works."

Other candidates included Glencoe resident Maxwell Rice, an energy pricing manager, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sargis Sangari and DePaul Professor D. Vincent Thomas, Jr.

None of the challengers have yet held elected office. The 73-year-old Schakowsky has represented the district since succeeding Sidney Yates in 1999, and the seat has been held by Democrats since 1949.

RESULTS

• John Elleson – 40.5% (10,255) – Projected winner
• Sargis Sangari – 30.5% (7,746)
• D. Vincent Thomas, Jr. – 18.9% (4,749)
• Maxwell Rice – 10% (2,547)

(509 of 515 precincts reporting)

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Elleson overcame several controversies during the campaign in order to take the nomination. It emerged that he and his wife had pleaded "no contest" and returned nearly $50,000 in improperly collected public benefits as a result of a 2003 theft charge, according to the Honolulu Star. And, the Chicago Tribune reported, the pastor has also come out on the losing end of several lawsuits from other churches.

Of the defeated candidates, Thomas was endorsed by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Journal & Topics Media Group. Sangari was endorsed by the Chicago Tribune, although the paper's editorial board said Thomas was also impressive.

Both men have experience with national service and public policy.

Sangari, 48, was first to declare his candidacy for the solidly Democratic seat. The Iranian native and Skokie resident said he immigrated with his family at the age of 10. He later finished multiple military tours of duty, including in Iraq, and returned to found his own research institute, the Near East Center for Strategic Engagement. He's also the founder of United Assyrian Appeal, a nonprofit that aids families resisting ISIS. He said immigration, the economy and health care would be his top priorities.

Thomas, 35, of Evanston, is a maritime law enforcement specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard with a PhD in public policy. He's a professor at DePaul University and a member of Evanston's ethics and police complaint review boards. He has campaigned on reducing the negative impact of student loan debt and extreme partisanship.

Rounding out the field:

Rice, 26, was president of his 2010 class at New Trier High School, was featured in a widely shared Fox News prank video and founded a website to make it easier for voters to send faxes to members of congress. His campaign has focused on fighting political corruption.

» MORE: Illinois Primary Election 2018 Races