Correction: Davis, Cameron Win 7th District Nominations

OAK PARK, IL — In the race for the Illinois 7th Congressional District, 20-year incumbent Rep. Danny Davis (D) defeated Oak Park-River Forest teacher and community activist Anthony Clark Tuesday for the Democratic nomination. On the GOP side, Craig Cameron came out ahead of opponent Jeffrey Leef for a chance to unseat Davis in November.

Davis had a total of 77,858 votes, whereas Clark ended up with a total of 27,567. Cameron came through with a total of 3,547 votes, toppling Leef, who had just 2,714.

RESULTS

Clark – 26.2%

Davis – 73.8% (projected Dem winner)

Cameron – 56.7% (projected GOP winner

Leef – 43.3%

Incumbent Danny K. Davis, who was elected in 1996 and has served on the House Ways and Means Committee, sides with Clark on many progressive initiatives and issues.

Some see Davis's experience as a benefit; others agree with Clark's view of him as an "establishment politician."

Anthony Clark, who founded Suburban Unity Alliance and teaches special education, was named Villager of the Year by Oak Park Wednesday Journal. Clark grew up in Oak Park and helps organize community events, including a search for a missing local teen last spring.

Clark, who says he is "part of a national movement to create a democracy that works for all of us," supports Medicare for all, increased minimum wage, and making higher educations accessible for all.

Craig Cameron says one of his top priorities is "bringing jobs back to Chicago." He links job creation to public safety, saying, "When men and women are working they don’t have time to loiter and engage in illegitimate opportunities.," on his website.
Cameron also supports community bonds to help small business owners fund their operations.

Dr. Jeffrey Leef is the Director of Interventional Radiology Trauma Services at the University of Chicago. He has volunteered time coaching baseball to benefit Opportunity Knocks, an organization that helps children with special needs.

Leef favors phasing out the Affordable Care Act and creating voucher systems to allow income insecure patients access to more affordable healthcare. He favors federal background checks for gun sales and supports the 2nd Amendment.

Correction: Patch initially reported Leef as the Republican nominee; Cameron is the nominee. We apologize for this error.

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