The 11th Congressional District represents 766,584 people, according to the United States Census Bureau. (Patch Graphics)
LEMONT, IL — With 95 percent of the votes counted, Republican candidate Jeff Walter was projected to win the 11th District Republican primary, The Associated Press reported.
Four candidates were vying for the Republican nomination in the March 17 primary.
Incumbent Bill Foster ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. Walter will face Foster in November's general election.
Here are the unofficial vote tallies, with 95 percent of the votes counted as of 11:37 p.m.:
Jeff Walter: 13,286 votes
Michael Pierce: 12,124 votes
Charlie Kim: 4,027 votes
Tedora Brown: 1,764 votes
"Tonight I want to say thank you," Walter shared in a statement on his Facebook page. "Thank you to the voters across the 11th District who came out and made your voices heard. Your support means the world to me, and I am incredibly grateful for the trust you’ve placed in our campaign.This campaign was never about one person — it was about a team. I want to thank the countless volunteers who knocked doors, made calls, put up signs, and spent long hours helping spread our message. None of this would have been possible without your dedication and belief in what we’re fighting for.To everyone who supported us, encouraged us, and stood with us along the way — thank you.I’m honored by your support and excited for the work ahead."
The 11th Congressional District represents 766,584 people, according to the United States Census Bureau. The District includes all or parts of Naperville, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Romeoville, St. Charles, Aurora, Lemont, Burr Ridge, Lisle, Woodridge, Joliet, Oswego and Yorkville.
The Republican candidates:
Jeff Walter - Walter is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, businessman and current Mayor of Elburn. "Jeff trusts President Trump—who already delivered one of the greatest economies in history—to do it again, and he supports Trump’s America First economic plan, including tariffs that protect American workers," his website states.
Michael Pierce - LTC (Ret.) Pierce lives in Naperville, and joined the U.S. Army in 1992. He retired from active duty in 2012, but continued to work as a civilian contractor. "An optimist, Mike believes that we can all find some middle ground and find value in all people. Mike’s leadership philosophy is summed up in these words: Accountability, bearing, commitment, discipline, enthusiasm and faith in God!" his website states.
Tedora Brown - "My story isn't typical for a congressional candidate. I'm not a career politician. I'm a mom who got fed up with the direction our country was heading and decided to do something about it," her website states. Brown is a Palos Park resident; her name was placed back on the ballot after an Illinois appeal court decision reversed a previous ruling that removed her from the ballot due to nominating signature issues. Brown is also facing 13 counts of wire fraud charges, and is accused of fraudulently obtaining thousands of dollars in small business loans and grants in COVID-relief funds.
Charlie Kim - Founder of a global business advisory network, and has advised on trade, law and national security, according to his website. "Charlie believes that the role of government is to empower families, strengthen communities, and protect the freedoms that make America strong. He is determined to make a difference by common-sense acts in creating new legislation and improving laws, devoting all effort to our cause as your representative in Congress," his website states.
The Democratic candidate:
Bill Foster (incumbent) - Foster has served in the IL-11 District since 2013. In the 118th Congress, Foster returned to the House Financial Services Committee, was appointed to the Speakers' Artificial Intelligence Task Force, and continued as the Democratic co-chair of the House Research and Redevelopment Caucus, the National Laboratories Caucus and the Inventions Caucus. Before his career in politics, Foster previously worked as a physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.