Michele Clark Flips GOP-Held Illinois Senate District 33 Seat: AP

Democrat Michele Clark won Tuesday's election for Illinois' 33rd Senate District, flipping a seat held by Republicans for more than a decade and defeating Republican Danielle Penman in the race to replace retiring state Sen. Don DeWitte.

The Associated Press called the race for Clark at 11:24 p.m. Tuesday. Clark received 35,277 votes, or 62.2 percent, compared with Penman's 21,449 votes, or 37.8 percent, according to unofficial results.

The race for the open seat drew two first-time candidates seeking to represent portions of Kane and McHenry counties. DeWitte, a Republican who has represented the district since 2018, did not seek another term.

Clark, 53, of Algonquin, is a former small business owner and nonprofit leader who serves as director of development for the Community Unit School District 300 Food Pantry. She supported increasing state funding for public schools, exploring alternative revenue sources to reduce reliance on property taxes and expanding eligibility for senior property tax freezes.

"Affordability is at the forefront of everyone’s mind," Clark said in a questionnaire published by the Daily Herald. "I know that the cost of living is too high and that families are getting squeezed in every direction with grocery bills, child care prices, and property taxes."

Penman, 49, of St. Charles, is a labor and delivery nurse with more than 26 years of healthcare experience. During her campaign, she advocated increasing homeowner property tax exemptions, reducing government spending and reconsidering unfunded state mandates that contribute to higher local property taxes.

Both candidates also addressed rising energy costs and proposed data center developments. Penman emphasized maintaining reliable electricity generation and protecting residents from infrastructure expenses, while Clark called for consideration of environmental impacts, water consumption and utility costs.

On immigration, Penman supported federal enforcement of immigration laws while emphasizing respect for individual dignity. Clark criticized federal immigration enforcement actions that she said have harmed families and communities.

Both candidates opposed using taxpayer money to directly finance construction of a new Chicago Bears stadium.

Clark's victory marked a shift in a district Republicans have represented for more than a decade. Republican Karen McConnaughay won the seat in 2012 and served until 2018, when DeWitte was appointed to replace her. DeWitte subsequently won elections in 2018 and 2022 before deciding not to seek another term.

Clark's win was among several Democratic gains in the Illinois General Assembly on Tuesday. Democrats flipped at least four Republican-held legislative seats, including the 33rd District, according to the Daily Line.

Although Republicans had long held the seat, the district had supported Democratic candidates in recent statewide and presidential elections, including Kamala Harris in 2024 and Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022, according to Capital News Illinois.

More information on Clark is available in her Daily Herald questionnaire.

Election results remain unofficial until certified by election authorities. This story will be updated as additional results become available.