Villa Declares Victory In Race For Illinois' 25th Senate District

WEST CHICAGO, IL — Democratic State Rep. Karina Villa declared victory Thursday over Republican Jeannette Ward in the race to replace Jim Oberweis in the Illinois State Senate.

Villa opened up a small lead shortly after polls closed Tuesday, but Ward stormed back throughout the night, closing the gap to just threw votes at one point. The race between the two State Senate hopefuls from West Chicago remained too close to call until Thursday afternoon, when Ward conceded.

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In a statement posted to social media Thursday, Ward said she called Villa to “extend my congratulations and wish her well” as the district’s new state senator.

“We won,” Villa wrote on Facebook shortly after Ward publicly conceded.

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“Our race was an uphill battle and we have officially won but I will always work hard for everyone, including those who voted for Mrs. Ward,” Villa wrote, encouraging her new constituents to “take a break from social media and enjoy this beautiful weather we are having.”

Unofficial election results show Villa earned 57,967 votes (50.7 percent) to Ward’s 56,461 votes (49.3 percent).

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Villa will make the step up to the Illinois Senate after one term as the representative for the state’s 49th House District.

A former West Chicago social worker and Villa Park and West Chicago school board member, Villa made education one of the main focuses of her campaign.

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Villa said she would work to provide "equitable and adequate" funding for school districts and expand families' access to early childhood education. She also supports a public option for health insurance and comprehensive immigration reform.

Illinois' 25th Senate District includes portions of Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Campton Hills, Elburn, Geneva, Montgomery, Naperville, North Aurora, Oswego, Plano, South Elgin, St. Charles, Sugar Grove, Warrenville, Wayne, West Chicago and Yorkville.

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