Update: Morrison Wins Democratic Nomination

Updated at 9:30 a.m.

Milton Sumption declined to be interviewed by Patch, but issued a campaign closing statement on his website late Tuesday night.

"I am thankful to have had the opportunity to participate in this 2012 primary election," Sumption wrote. "I congratulate Julie Morrison on winning the primary and wish her well in the general election. Finally, I want to thank all of the volunteers who worked so hard on this campaign, the supporters who shared their resources and wisdom with me, and all of the voters who cast ballots for me in support of positive change for Illinois."

Updated at 8:40 p.m. 

 has officially won the Democratic nomination to succeed retiring 29th District state Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest).

Julie Morrison's oldest son Mike addressed dozens of supporters at Ristorante Abruzzo in Deerfield around 8:30 p.m., thanking everyone for their attendance and sharing confidence in his mother.

"I'm so proud tonight because I know how hard my mom has worked the last couple months and I know how hard she will work as the campaign moves on," he said. "Tonight I am so proud to call Julie Morrison my mother. Come November, you'll all be proud to call her your state senator."

Following her son, Morrison took the stage.

"I am so honored tonight," she said. "Everybody standing in this room had a piece in it. You all made tonight happen."

Morrison also thanked supporter and current Sen. Susan Garrett. "She had my back every step of the way," she said.

Morrison spoke about the 'positive and dynamic' campaign ahead.

"There's no time for a learning curve," she said. "I'm going to go to Springfield and be a leader for you." 

Sumption did not return a Patch phone call for comment this evening. 

Updated at 8:30 p.m. 

At 8:30 p.m. 53 of 72 precincts had reported in Cook County with Morrison leading with 88 percent of the vote. In Lake County, all 69 precincts have reported, with 86 percent in favor of Morrison. In total, 7,620 votes had been reported for Morrison, 6,479 more than Sumption's 1,141. 

Updated at 8 p.m. 

At 8 p.m. 50 of 72 precincts had reported in Cook County with Morrison leading with 88 percent of the vote. In Lake County, 68 of 69 precincts have reported, with 86 percent in favor of Morrison.

Earlier

Despite this past weekend questioning her Democratic roots, is leading opponent around 8 p.m. Tuesday.

“It’s all about boots on the ground,” Morrison told Patch about the final days of the campaign.

MORE: Illinois Primary Live Blog–Keep up with election results as Patch shares continuous updates. 

And boots on the ground seems to have done the trick. state , state Illinois Tenth Congressional Democrats Chair and other Democratic leaders, Morrison is emerging as the favorite with 86.48 percent of the vote as of 7:30 p.m., with 23 of 72 precincts reporting in Cook County.

Joined by supporters, the 14-year township supervisor is watching votes come in from in Deerfield this evening.

Opting for a private evening at home with family, Lake Bluff business consultant Sumption said he would not comment publicly until a winner is announced.

In months leading up to elections, Morrison has stressed her management approach to the social service issues she sees daily in her job.

She , connecting resources for training and businesses that were hiring with those seeking work. She has become a counselor to the jobless and others in need who come to the

The winner of the primary will face in the Nov. 6 general election. Friedman is unopposed for the Republican nod.

He ran for the Republican nomination for the 10th Congressional District seat in 2010 and lost in the primary to now  

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