This is a developing story and will be updated as new information becomes available. Last updated March 17 at 11:02 p.m.
Pastor John Elleson won the Republican primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, surpassing Spanish interpreter Rocío Cleveland, former software writer Paul Friedman and IT consultant Mark Su.
Elleson has 48.5% of the vote, with 92% of ballots counted, according to data from the Associated Press last updated at 11:17 p.m. The AP called the race for Elleson at 10:03 p.m. Friedman trails with 33.5%, while Cleveland and Su remain in single digits.
“Very thankful to the Lord and everyone who worked hard in this campaign,” Elleson wrote to The Daily Tuesday night. “We pledge to represent all as we march to the general election in November. Congratulations to my opponent, Daniel Biss.”
In an interview with The Daily on March 6, Elleson said his approach going into the general election is to be representative of the district.
“I think when you run for Congress or when you run as your representative, you’re running in that district,” he said. “You need to reflect that district.”
This isn’t Elleson’s first political campaign. He previously ran for the 9th District seat in 2018 and lost with 26.5% of the vote against retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s (D-Evanston) 73.5%.
Elleson has served as a pastor for more than 40 years across the Chicago area and currently leads Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights. Beyond Illinois, Elleson has taught English and U.S. history at universities in China following the Tiananmen Square massacre.
The pastor describes himself as a “compassionate conservative,” according to his campaign website, and was endorsed for the Republican primary by the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board in February.
Elleson notes on his website that he wants to strengthen the economy by reducing regulation and bringing more jobs to the district, reform the healthcare system by lowering costs and improve national security.
He will advance to the general election, where he will face Democratic nominee Mayor Daniel Biss in a district that has not elected a Republican to Congress since 1947. Biss appears likely to prevail in November, given the seat’s deep-blue history.
In a previous interview with The Daily, Elleson said despite these long odds, the race is still worth running.
“I think that competition is good. It’s just good to have debate. Even if the Democrats end up winning, it’s just good to be challenged,” he said. “I just think that it would be good for the Republicans to have a good horse in the race.”
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