PLAINFIELD, IL — Jessica Dixon Heitman, a Democrat, is the projected winner in the race to represent 97th District in the Illinois House of Representatives, according to the Associated Press.
The polls closed at 7 p.m. on the race between Democrat Jessica Dixon Heitman and Republican Gabby Shanahan, who each hoped to convince voters they were the best choice to represent Illinois's 97th District in the state House of Representatives.
Locals chose Dixon Heitman, who assumed office in July to fill the seat vacated by disgraced former Rep. Harry Benton, with 21,494 votes — or 61.1 percent. Shanahan, who conceded the race just after 10 p.m., came away with 13,711 votes, or 38.9 percent.
"Tonight's results did not go the way we had hoped, but I am incredibly proud of the campaign we ran," Shanahan said in a statement. "It was an honor to meet thousands of you at your doors, hear your concerns, and share my vision for a better Illinois. ... While tonight was not the outcome we wanted, my commitment to making our community a better place remains as strong as ever."
As of 10:05 p.m., 82 percent of votes were counted.
Benton, who was first elected in 2022 but resigned ahead of the completion of his third term, hung up his cap this summer after an investigation determined he committed two separate acts of sexual harassment, Patch reported.
The 97th District's Democratic Representative Committee unanimously voted to appoint Dixon Heitman, the granddaughter of late Sen. Alan Dixon, to succeed Benton and take his place in the general election.
A resident of Plainfield, Dixon Heitman serves as president of communications firm Dixon/Heitman Collective. She vowed that her priorities would be lowering costs for families by easing property taxes, pushing for strong public schools with fair funding, supporting law enforcement, creating opportunities for small businesses, and securing funding for infrastructure and schools for her district.
It was Shanahan's second attempt at securing the 97th District representative seat. She ran against Benton in 2024 but was unable to unseat him, losing by about 2,300 votes.
A graduate of Plainfield Central High School, Shanahan said was running to lower the cost of living, create opportunities for children, and lead with honesty that drives the community forward, according to her campaign website.
The 97th District covers a majority of Plainfield as well as parts of Joliet, Shorewood, Naperville and Oswego.
Election results are unofficial until certified by election authorities. This story will be updated as additional vote totals become available.
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