Dillard posts strong win to remain state senator in the 24th District
By KImberly Fornek | kfornek@pioneerlocal.com
State Sen. Kirk Dillard talks with guests at U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert's gathering Tuesday in Lisle. Dillard was re-elected but Biggert lost her race. | Curtis Lehmkuhl~Sun-Times Media
HINSDALE—Republican state Sen. Kirk Dillard soundly defeated his Democratic challenger, A. Ghani of Oak Brook. In unofficial results, Dillard received 67,349 votes, or 66 percent of the 102,289 votes cast, to retain his seat in the 24th senate district.
Dillard of Hinsdale has been a state senator for 20 years and in 2010 sought the Republican nomination for governor. That post has not been far from his mind.
“Now that the general election is over, I plan to meet with the major civic, business and Republican leaders in Illinois to determine whether I should run for statewide office,” Dillard said. “I do believe it is important that the next governor understand the suburbs, as we have ever increasing needs and issues that we haven’t had in the past. Among those issues are “the future of Metra and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority.”
“I think it’s time the governor of Illinois be a suburbanite,” Dillard said. “The suburbs need a voice in Springfield, especially since we are the major economic force in Illinois.”
In the meantime, Dillard said, even though the Republicans will be in the minority in the General Assembly, “we will continue to be a strong voice against more debt and higher taxes” in Illinois.
Dillard, who spent part of Tuesday evening with Judy Biggert’s campaign party in Lisle, commiserated her losing her bid for re-election.
Calling Biggert a “class act,” Dillard said, “As gratifying as my win is, it’s difficult to see very fine people fall victim to the Democrats’ redistricting.” As the majority party, the Democratic leaders redrew Illinois’ congressional district so that Biggert no longer lived in the district she represented.
“Illinois lost some very excellent public servants because the way the Democratic-controlled map is redrawn,” Dillard said.
Ghani, a retired realtor from Oak Brook failed in his second run at a state senate seat, having been defeated four years ago when he sought the senate seat in Illinois’ 21st district.
The 24th senate district includes all or parts of Western Springs, Hinsdale, Clarendon Hills, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Lombard, and Westmont.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment