Castro defeats Caramelli in 22nd District Democratic primary

Kane County Board member Cristina Castro won Tuesday's Democratic primary against state trooper Steve Caramelli for the state Senate's 22nd District seat, according to unofficial results.

Castro, 37, of Elgin, had 66.8 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting in Kane and Cook counties. She led vote tallies in both counties with 13,458 votes to Caramelli's 6,688 votes.

"Our message resonated with a lot of voters," she said shortly after declaring victory at a gathering of supporters at Danny's Pizza in Elgin.

"We really worked really hard. We knocked on a lot of doors and we were out as much as we can. Voters really appreciate it when you come to the door and talk to them about the issues that matter on the campaign."

Castro is hoping to replace state Sen. Mike Noland, an Elgin Democrat who ran for Congress instead of seeking re-election.

Castro, who works as a marketing and communications manager, touted her experience balancing a nearly $280 million county budget that kept property taxes flat for five years. Caramelli, 39, of Hoffman Estates, serves on the Hanover Township board.

No Republicans ran in the primary. The deadline to slate someone on the November ballot is May 31.

To solve the state's pension crisis, Castro said, the legislature should revisit a bill by Senate President John Cullerton. Castro said she believes in term limits for the Senate and House leadership, and is open to term limits for all state legislators.

The legislature needs stricter ethics requirements, she also said.