(PEORIA, IL) — Lebanese-American State Senator Darin LaHood won the GOP nomination in the race to replace disgraced ex-U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock.
LaHood heads into the Sept. 10 special general election as the favorite to succeed Schock, who resigned in March amid intensifying questions about his use of campaign and taxpayer funds.
During the primary race, LaHood portrayed himself as far more conservative than his father, former congressman and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
He received early backing from the state GOP, raised more than the other candidates and picked up key endorsements, including from the National Rifle Association.
But opponent Michael Flynn, who was closely aligned with the late commentator Andrew Breitbart, rallied against the GOP “establishment,” saying seats in Congress weren’t meant to be handed down.
LaHood said he spent more time on the campaign trail talking about his record as a state senator and former prosecutor than his father.
“People feel there’s a disconnect with what goes on in Washington, D.C.,” he told The Associated Press in a phone interview before he addressed supporters at a party in Peoria. “They don’t want someone who is going to make the same mistakes as the previous congressman.”
Turnout was low for the special primary scheduled in peak summer vacation season, with many counties reporting well below 10 percent.
Associated Press