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Illinois' 18th Congressional District special election, 2015

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The 18th Congressional District of Illinois held a special election for the U.S. House of Representatives on September 10, 2015.

The election filled the vacancy that was created with the resignation of Aaron Schock (R). On March 17, 2015, Schock announced his resignation, effective March 31, 2015. The announcement came following scrutiny surrounding Schock's potential misuse of campaign funds.[1]

The primary occurred on July 7, 2015, and the general took place on September 10, 2015.[2][3]

As expected, Darin LaHood (R) defeated Robert Mellon (D) in the general election to win the seat. LaHood was a heavy favorite due to the district's Republican lean and his massive fundraising advantage over Mellon.[4]

Candidate Filing Deadline Primary Election General Election
April 20, 2015
July 7, 2015
September 10, 2015

Illinois' 18th Congressional District covers central and western Illinois, including Adams, Brown, Cass, Hancock, Logan, Marshall, Mason, McDonough, Menard, Morgan Pike, Schuyler, Scott, and Woodford counties as well as portions of McLean, Peoria, Sangamon, Stark, and Tazewell counties.[5]

Election results

General election

U.S. House, Illinois District 18 General Election, 2015
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngDarin LaHood 68.8% 33,319
     Democratic Robert Mellon 31.2% 15,127
Total Votes 48,446
Source: KHQA News with 96% reporting Vote totals above are unofficial and will be updated once official totals are made available.

Primary election


Candidates

General election candidates:

Republican Party Darin LaHood Green check mark transparent.png
Democratic Party Robert Mellon

Primary candidates:[6]

Democratic

Robert Mellon[7] Approveda
Adam Lopez[7]

Republican

Darin LaHood - State Senator[8] Approveda
Mike Flynn[7]
Donald Rients[7]

Not running:

Bill Brady (R) - State Senator
Jason Barickman (R) - State Senator
Mike Unes (R) - State Representative
John Sullivan (D) - State Senator
Mark Zalcman (R)


Campaign themes

Darin LaHood

The following is a sample of issues which were taken from LaHood's campaign website:[9]

“
  • Health Care: "I believe that ObamaCare has been an abomination. We have seen the negative effects of this policy on families and businesses, big and small. It is vital we replace ObamaCare with a market-based approach to the delivery of health care, as it is vital to give people a true choice in health care and a policy that ensures neither businesses nor government is saddled with a program that overreaches."
  • Jobs, Jobs, Jobs: "Jobs are crucial and a vital part of turning Illinois’ and the country’s economy around. As your representative in Congress, I will be an outspoken advocate for families of Central Illinois by removing the barriers to job creation: eliminating costly, burdensome regulations; cutting government red tape; and, simplifying the tax code. The role of government is not to create jobs but to get out of the way of business owners, allowing them grow and put area families to work."
  • National Security: "America’s national security threats are real, both abroad and at home. Having served as a chief prosecutor of an anti-terrorism unit, I understand the threats our nation faces and the vital role government plays in protecting lives at home and abroad for our country."
  • Spending: "For far too long the Federal Government has not been living within its means. Our national debt is $18 trillion and growing and we continue to have a government that spends, taxes and borrows too much. In Congress, I will push to rein in government spending in order to tackle the national debt, ensuring that our children and grandchildren are not forced to pay for the mistakes of our generation."

[10]

”
—Darin LaHood's campaign website, http://www.lahoodforcongress.com/category/issues/

Robert Mellon

The following is a sample of issues which were taken from Mellon's campaign website:[11]

“
  • Mellon Jobs Plan: "The polarized and politicized “do nothing” U.S. Congress has failed to produce any plans to create jobs and build the American economy. Due to the inaction of our congressional leaders Rob Mellon has announced a comprehensive jobs plan that is a combination of Democratic and Republican ideas. The plan demonstrates how both parties can work together. Rob promises to introduce the Mellon Jobs Plan on the first day in office, if elected."
  • Agriculture: "Illinois farmers help feed the world and are in integral part of our local economies in the 18th congressional district. I fully support subsidies and nutrition programs, which allow our farmers to feed the country and make sure food supplies are sustained for years to come. We must develop a strong safety net to ensure agricultural growth. Taking full advantage of our natural resources while protecting our environment with innovative soil and water conservation measures is important."
  • Jobs and the Economy: "The creation of new, high-paying, benefit rich jobs should be the top priority of the United States Congress. Most economists agree that there isn’t a magic program or simple solution to producing more jobs in such a tough economic climate, but steps must be taken to lessen the effects of the seemingly endless recession."
  • Political Integrity: "All Americans know of the complete lack of political integrity in the current system. Politicians have turned the campaign process into a money making endeavor. Aaron Schock, for example, has already raised millions of dollars for his political action committee (PAC). This is all a part of the perpetual campaign cycle that never ends."
  • Veteran and Armed Forces: "I dedicate myself completely to ensuring our veterans and current service members are fully taken care of. Having served in the United States Army, Illinois National Guard, and the U.S. Army Reserve I know the sacrifices our men and women in the Armed Forces make. Too many of our current political officials have not served in the military. This has led to veteran and service member issues being ignored or completely misunderstood."

[10]

”
—Rob Mellon's campaign website, http://www.robmellon.com/issues/

Campaign contributions

Darin LaHood

Darin LaHood (2015) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
April Quarterly[12]June 23, 2015$0$211,520$(624)$210,895
Pre-Primary[13]June 25, 2015$210,895$718,885$(440,874)$518,906
July Quarterly[14]June 15, 2015$518,906$111,388$(364,840)$265,454
Pre-Special[15]August 28, 2015$265,454$184,135$(130,039)$319,550
Running totals
$1,225,928$(936,377)

Robert Mellon

Robert Mellon (2015) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
October Quarterly[16]August 10, 2015$0$10,769$(9,503)$1,265
Running totals
$10,769$(9,503)

Mike Flynn

Mike Flynn (2015) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
Pre-Primary[17]June 25, 2015$0$63,742$(31,342)$32,399
Running totals
$63,742$(31,342)

Donald Rients

Donald Rients (2015) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
Pre-Primary[18]June 24, 2015$0$6,827$(6,076)$751
Running totals
$6,827$(6,076)

Adam Lopez

Adam Lopez (2015) Campaign Finance Reports
ReportDate FiledBeginning BalanceTotal Contributions
for Reporting Period		ExpendituresCash on Hand
Pre-Primary[19]June 25, 2015$0$8,538$(8,400)$137
Running totals
$8,538$(8,400)

District history

2014

See also: Illinois' 18th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 18th Congressional District of Illinois held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Aaron Schock (R) defeated challenger Darrel Miller (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 18 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngAaron Schock Incumbent 74.7% 184,636
     Democratic Darrel Miller 25.3% 62,377
Total Votes 247,013
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections Official Results

2012

See also: Illinois' 18th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 18th Congressional District of Illinois held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Aaron Schock won re-election in the district.[20]

U.S. House, Illinois District 18 General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngAaron Schock Incumbent 74.2% 244,467
     Democratic Steve Waterworth 25.8% 85,164
Total Votes 329,631
Source: Illinois Board of Elections "2012 General Election Official Vote Totals"

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Politico, "Rep. Aaron Schock resigns," March 17, 2015
  2. ↑ Roll Call, "Special Election Dates Set to Replace Aaron Schock," March 31, 2015
  3. ↑ Chicago Sun Times, "Dates proposed for special elections to replace Aaron Schock," April 6, 2015
  4. ↑ Chicago Tribune, "Darin LaHood wins special election to replace ex-U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock," September 10, 2015
  5. ↑ Illinois Redistricting Map, "Map," accessed July 24, 2012
  6. ↑ Candidates are listed by party and alphabetically within each party.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate List," accessed April 22, 2015
  8. ↑ CI News Now, "Darin LaHood kicks off special election campaign," March 30, 2015
  9. ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed June 30, 2015
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  11. ↑ Campaign website, "Issues," accessed June 30, 2015
  12. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Darin LaHood April Quarterly," accessed June 30, 2015
  13. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Darin LaHood Pre-Primary," accessed June 30, 2015
  14. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Darin LaHood July Quarterly," accessed August 31, 2015
  15. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Darin LaHood Pre-Special," accessed August 31, 2015
  16. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Robert Mellon October Quarterly," accessed August 31, 2015
  17. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Mike Flynn Pre-Primary," accessed June 30, 2015
  18. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Donald Rients Pre-Primary," accessed June 30, 2015
  19. ↑ Federal Election Commission, "Adam Lopez Pre-Primary," accessed June 30, 2015
  20. ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Illinois," November 19, 2012


Illinois' current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators
Tammy Duckworth (D)
Dick Durbin (D)
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
Mike Bost (R)
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
Democratic Party (16)
Republican Party (3)

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