Illinois primary: Final results, county ballot flaw raises questions and read Kinzinger’s victory speech

Editor’s note: Following are the final results from the Tuesday, March 20, Illinois primary election. Included after the election results is a copy of U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s election night victory speech.

Kinzinger, 34, a freshman Congressman first elected to office in 2010 during a tea party-backed Republican surge, defeated 10-term Congressman U.S. Rep. Don Manzullo, R-Ill. Kinzinger will not face a Democratic opponent in the November general election, meaning he his likely to gain the 16th Congressional District seat.

Additionally, debate over Winnebago County’s ballot flaw continues. Winnebago County Clerk Margie Mullins announced March 20 that some of the ballots were too large to fit in the scanning machines. As a result, ballots were returned to the County Clerk’s office after the polls closed at 7 p.m., March 20, and a number of volunteers began tabulating votes manually as they came in.

The county remade 8,564 ballots. Election judges originally attempted to trim the too-large ballots before Mullins decided to remake the ballots altogether.

Mike “C” Castronovo, Republican candidate for Winnebago County Board chairman, questioned the county’s handling of the ballot flaw in an e-mail to The Rock River Times. Read Castronovo’s e-mail by clicking here.

Following are the final election results for area races, with winners in each race listed first with an asterisk (*) and shown in bold. Winners in the March 20 primary move on to the Nov. 6, 2012, General Election.

U.S. President, Republican

* Mitt Romney — 47 percent

Rick Santorum — 35 percent

Ron Paul — 9 percent

Newt Gingrich — 8 percent

U.S. House, 16th District, Republican

* Adam Kinzinger — 53 percent

Donald A. Manzullo — 46 percent

U.S. House, 17th District, Democratic

* Cheri Bustos — 57 percent

Greg Aguilar — 21 percent

George Gaulrapp — 20 percent

State Senate, 34th District, Democratic

* Steven “Steve” Stadelman — 54 percent

Dan Lewandowski — 24 percent

Marla Wilson — 21 percent

State Senate, 35th District Republican

* Dave Syverson — 57 percent

Christine J. Johnson — 42 percent

State House, 67th District, Democratic

* Charles “Chuck” Jefferson — 80 percent

Gloria M. Lind — 19 percent

State House, 68th District, Democratic

* Carl Wasco — 67 percent

Clint Little — 32 percent

State House, 90th District, Republican

* Tom Demmer — 34 percent

Liandro “Li” Arellano Jr. — 31 percent

Chet Olson — 26 percent

Daniel H. Sidmore — 7 percent

Winnebago County Board Chairman, Republican

* Scott H. Christiansen — 63 percent

Mike “C” Castronovo — 36 percent

Winnebago County State’s Attorney, Republican

* Glen R. Weber — 51 percent

David M. Gill — 48 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 1, Republican

* Lynne Strathman — 58 percent

Marc Gasparini — 41 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 2, Republican

* Jim Webster — 67 percent

Ed Schmitt — 32 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 3, Republican

* Steve Schultz — 55 percent

Gary L. Kovanda — 44 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 4, Republican

* Kyle Logan — 71 percent

Patty Austin — 28 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 6, Republican

* Kay J. Mullins — 62 percent

Joe Terrell — 37 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 7, Republican

* Gary R. Jury — 69 percent

Ricky L. Davis — 30 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 8, Republican

* Dianne Parvin — 56 percent

Michael Kleen — 43 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 9, Republican

* David L. Kelly — 63 percent

Kevin Horstman — 36 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 11, Republican

* Dave Fiduccia — 57 percent

Wendy Owano — 42 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 12, Democratic

* Julio Salgado — 57 percent

Isidro B. Barrios — 42 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 14, Democratic

* L.C. Wilson — 60 percent

George Anne Duckett — 39 percent

Winnebago County Board, District 16, Republican

* John F. Sweeney — 64 percent

Michele M. Coriossi — 35 percent

Electrical Aggregation Referendums

Cherry Valley — Yes, 67 percent; No, 32 percent

Durand — Yes, 56 percent; No, 43 percent

Loves Park — Yes, 55 percent; No, 44 percent

Machesney Park — Yes, 64 percent; No, 35 percent

Pecatonica — Yes, 50 percent; No, 49 percent

Rockford — Yes, 56 percent; No, 43 percent

Roscoe — No, 51 percent; Yes, 48 percent

Winnebago — Yes, 58 percent; No, 41 percent

Unincorporated Winnebago County — No, 52 percent; Yes, 47 percent

Belvidere — Yes, 61 percent; No, 38 percent

Boone County — No, 51 percent; Yes, 48 percent

Caledonia — Yes, 62 percent; No, 37 percent

Poplar Grove — No, 51 percent; Yes, 48 percent

Timberlane — Yes, 54 percent; No, 45 percent

Byron — Yes, 56 percent; No, 43 percent

Davis Junction — Yes, 63 percent; No, 36 percent

Forreston — Yes, 70 percent; No, 29 percent

Monroe Center — No, 56 percent; Yes, 43 percent

Oregon — Yes, 56 percent; No, 43 percent

Unincorporated Ogle County — No, 51 percent; Yes, 48 percent

Machesney Park Roads, Drainage, Infrastructure Referendum

Yes, 73 percent

No, 26 percent

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger’s election night victory speech

Let me start off by saying that this is the greatest honor of my life. We went into tonight, expecting it to be a long night, and the results seem so far to be well worth the wait.

There are outstanding ballots yet to be counted, but the Associated Press called this race and if everything holds, it appears we’ve won.

We began this journey three months ago, after my district was divided into five different parts. The largest part of my district went into the new 16th, but about 70 percent of the district was new. It was a short amount of time to get to know hundreds of thousands of folks. But, with the help and support of old friends, we built our grassroots operation organically, from the ground up. We held town hall meeting after town hall meeting — 30 in all. And we made new friends, who have become dedicated supporters and joined current supporters — both have been the lifeline of this campaign.

These folks came to our town hall meetings and said they were tired of the status quo; that they expected more for their kid’s and grandkid’s future; that they were ready for a fresh break from “business as usual in Washington.”

With the hard work and dedication of our supporters, we were able to knock on 10,000 doors and we made tens of thousands of phone calls to our neighbors across the new 16th District to explain why it’s time for a new generation of leadership in Washington.

Also, I’d like to give a big thanks to my family – My fiancé Riki couldn’t be here tonight due to her military training, but she has undoubtedly been my rock. I’d also like to thank my parents — both of whom have instilled in me early on the importance of living your life to serve others. I’d also like to thank my sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and cousins — all of you have shown unconditional support and faith in me.

For the last ten years, I’ve been honored to serve our nation as a pilot in the Air Force and Air National Guard. I’ve seen first-hand, the unmatched capabilities that make the U.S. a strong and amazing country.

In that capacity, I’ve seen people struggling and fighting for freedom. I’ve seen people give everything to protect their native land. As a Congressman in Afghanistan last year, I attended the memorial ceremony of brave Americans who gave their lives in service to the nation we love. And, in those lives and in that sacrifice, we are reminded that America is worth defending; both abroad and here at home. Instead of focusing on what divides us, focus on how we move forward, together, one nation, united and under God.

In my short time in Congress and my time as a military officer, I have seen an America that refuses to fail. A nation that though tried in times of difficulty, always persevers, always pushes, always chooses to take the right path instead of the easy path. And, as a result, always prospers. The world looks on us with envy and strikes out in an attempt to squash our freedom and bring us to their level. But we will not be deterred. We will not fail.

We are also reminded that Americans are capable of learning from the mistakes of the past and working together, to find common ground, and chart a new course. Tonight’s results illustrate that Americans are looking for a new generation of leaders who are focused on bettering our country, rather than themselves; leaders who will reform Washington from the ground up and unequivocally place the people above politics.

Tonight, folks all across the new 16th Congressional District opted to send a fresh voice to Washington who will work tirelessly to carry out the people’s agenda. This is not MY seat in Washington. This seat belongs to the people of the 16th Congressional District.

Gone are the days of being controlled by Washington establishment think tank groups — I work for you and will not answer to these insider and out-of-touch organizations.

Over the last several months, my freshman classmates and I have been fighting to shake things up in Washington and change the conversation from how much to spend to how much to cut. We’ve eliminated earmarks and made government more transparent and accountable to you. And, although we haven’t won every battle, we have definitely made our intentions clear tonight that the status quo is no longer acceptable.

Congress needs a fresh approach, with strong, conservative voices that will fight tooth and nail to create an environment where government will become less relevant in your everyday life.

In 2010, we stopped the runaway spending train when Americans sent 87 new freshmen to Congress to hold the line on spending. But this 2012 election cycle is about turning the train around and moving toward economic security and fiscal restraint.

Illinois has taken the first step toward turning this train around. However, we must keep pushing forward, just as those first brave Americans did at Valley Forge.

This is our country’s present-day Valley Forge moment. Just like the brave men who stood strong at Valley Forge in the dead of winter against the most powerful country in the world, we too must persevere.

2012 is an extremely critical year for the future of our country. We simply cannot afford to sit back and continue to let more debt pile on to the backs of our kids and grandkids. Ultimately, history will judge us by whether we decided to stand up and fight to chart a new course — like we are beginning here tonight in Illinois — or stood by and allowed the same go-along; get along politics to consume Washington.

We must continue to make the bold but necessary budget cuts that will refuel our economy and leave future generations with the same opportunities many of us have been blessed with.

No one said it more eloquently than Ronald Reagan, who said “They say the world has become too complex for simple answers. They are wrong. There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers. We must have the courage to do what we know is morally right.”

Reagan went on to quote Winston Churchill who said “When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits — not animals.” Reagan continued, “There’s something going on in time and space, and beyond time and space, which whether we like it or not, spells duty.

You and I have a rendezvous with destiny, we will preserve for our children this, the last great hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness.”

Tonight, Illinois has set a tone for the nation — that we won’t stand idle, hoping that our economy improves. This is a brand new day for the Illinois Republican Party. Tonight, we sent a message to our country that here in Illinois, there is a new generation of Republican leaders and we WILL fight to provide a better tomorrow for future generations. Because of all of you, Illinois will no longer accept the status quo — instead, we’re moving forward with fresh, conservative voices that will fight for a better tomorrow.

To everyone in this room — and our thousands and thousands of supporters — thank you — because I couldn’t have done any of this without you. I could not be more honored to have the trust that you have bestowed in me tonight. I will never stop fighting for the values and principles in which you elected me based on. I take that trust incredibly serious and I will fight every day to continue to earn that trust and to represent the voice of the 16th District in Washington.

Thank you and God bless.

Adam Kinzinger is a freshman serving in the United States Congress. He was sworn into Congress in January 2011 and was named to the Energy and Commerce Committee, the House Transition Team and is a Republican Deputy Whip. Kinzinger also serves in the Air National Guard, while in Congress, with the current rank of Captain. He lives in Manteno, Ill.

According to OpenSecrets.org, Kinzinger raised $1,317,960 in the 2011-12 campaign cycle and spent $1,041,551, leaving him with $314,807 cash on hand. Comparatively, Manzullo raised $866,811 in the 2011-12 campaign cycle and spent $742,968, leaving him with $333,916 cash on hand.

Kinzinger’s top five contributors in the 2011-12 campaign were Exelon Corp., $20,750; Horton Group, $14,000; Comcast Corp., $10,750; Stark Construction, $10,750; and Agri-Business Solutions, $10,000. His top five industries were Leadership PACs, $46,000; TV/Movies/Music, $41,250; Electric Utilities, $41,000; Securities & Investment, $40,750; and Health Professionals, $37,600.

Fifty-two percent of Kinzinger’s campaign contributions were large individual contributions totaling $680,969. Overall, 57 percent of Kinzinger’s contributions came from individuals, 41 percent from PAC contributions and 1 percent from “other.”

According to The Washington Post’s U.S. Congress Votes Database, Kinzinger votes with the Republican Party 91 percent of the time.

Kinzinger, a former Air Force pilot who still serves in the Air National Guard as a captain, received a late endorsement from House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., in the race against Manzullo. Manzullo currently represents 44 percent of what will be the new 16th Congressional District, while Kinzinger, who serves in the 11th Congressional District, currently represents 31 percent of the new 16th Congressional District.

Kinzinger will run unopposed in the Nov. 6, 2012, general election and will likely begin serving the 16th Congressional District in January 2013.

Posted March 22, 2012

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