Sente prevails over Abernathy in 59th District

Democrat Carol Sente won re-election in the race for the Illinois House 59th District Tuesday.

With all precincts counted, Sente defeated her Republican opponent, Dawn Abernathy, 25,443 to 16,415. In Lake County, Sente beat Abernathy 22,478 votes to 14,832 in unofficial tallies. In the smaller Cook County portion of the district, Sente received 2,965 votes to her opponent's 1,583.

Sente, who was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Kathy Ryg in September 2009 and was elected to 2-year terms in 2010, 2012 and 2014, credited her victory to hard work and the effort of her team.

Sente said she raised the bulk of the money for the campaign herself, adding that the only financial assistance she received from the Democrats amounted to $150,000 in the form of mailers.

"I did it on my own dime and built my team," she said.

Abernathy conceded and congratulated Sente on her victory. However, Abernathy had some harsh words about what she felt was negative campaigning on Sente's part.

"I can look myself in the mirror and know I ran a decent race, and I know that I will see her in two years," said Abernathy, a Mundelein trustee and a member of the Lake County Housing Authority.

Sente said her goals for the next term include a balanced bipartisan budget and a new education funding formula.

She said she also wants to foster a culture of working together across the political aisle. "We need bridge builders," she said.

The 59th District takes in portions of Buffalo Grove, Gurnee, Libertyville, Lincolnshire, Long Grove, Mundelein, Vernon Hills and Wheeling.