It appears that Darin LaHood has won. I would have voted for Mr. Flynn. The low turnout is a sad commentary on Peoria.
Turnout in special elections is almost always low, almost everywhere, this is nothing specific to the area (The majority of Peoria itself is in the 17th now btw, which is great for the 18th and terrible for the 17th). And that’s usually a good thing cause casual voters tend to be libs.
Anyway, 69%-28% (and 3% for some loser prison guard).
I’d say I’m disappointed by the margin but a close loss would have just pissed me off more. We lost this at the filing deadline. Flynn was a 2nd tier candidate at best, running his first race ever, stronger ones were scared/bribed out. LaHood won on his daddy’s name recognition.
Ted Cruz endorsing Flynn YESTERDAY obviously didn’t do the trick. He should have done it weeks ago and talked up Flynn to other conservatives, weeks ago. I don’t have the financial data but I presume money wasn’t close to being close. $ talks, candidates without the green to plaster their face all over the tv usually don’t win, especially when everyone knows who their opponent’s daddy is.
“Conservative activists” in this state are stupid, many were bribed/fooled into backing Jr. cause he’s “more conservative than his dad”.
This margin indicates to me this effort was pathetic all around. Another bite at the apple for the full term next year, I expect another weak challenge (if any at all).