Mussman narrowly keeps 56th District House seat
Democratic state Rep. Michelle Mussman narrowly defeated Republican challenger Jim Moynihan to hold onto her 56th District state House seat, according to unofficial results early Wednesday morning.
Mussman had 13,705 votes, about 51.2 percent of the total, to Moynihan's 13,058.
"I'm certainly happy to have squeaked by," Mussman said shortly after 1 a.m. "It's been an incredibly long, long day. I give my team full credit for this."
Moynihan could not be reached for comment.
Provisional ballots and some mail ballots still await counting on Wednesday, Cook County Clerk's office spokeswoman Courtney Greve said.
Though a political newcomer, Moynihan, of Schaumburg, was recognized as a serious challenger by Republicans and Democrats, triggering a significant flow of money into the race from both parties during the campaign's final days.
Both candidates played down their party connections, though Moynihan criticized Mussman's record as demonstrating loyalty to Democratic leadership. Mussman, however, said her votes have been based on the greater good, not party lines.
A major point of contention in the race was Mussman's vote in favor of the pension reform bill, a decision she believes cost her the support of teachers unions. Mussman said her vote was a prime example of her acting for the greater good, even if it adversely affected some.
While she believes the bill will withstand legal challenges, Moynihan took the opposite view - arguing that time is being wasted coming up with a necessary Plan B while the courts deliberate.
The two candidates also disputed some of the other's ad claims. Moynihan decried Mussman literature linking him to the Tea Party and implying he opposes senior programs like Social Security and Medicaid. For her part, Mussman claimed Moynihan wrongly accused her of voting to increase her own pay.
The 56th District includes Schaumburg and portions of Elk Grove Village, Hoffman Estates, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Palatine, Rolling Meadows and Roselle.