Connelly leads in 48th House race

Mike Connelly, the self-proclaimed "bubble boy" of the DuPage County board, appears to be one step closer to becoming the 48th House District representative.

With all 90 precincts reporting, unofficial results show Connelly captured 37 percent of the vote to win the Republican nomination for a spot on the November ballot. He outpaced Naperville City Councilman Doug Krause, who got 36.7 percent, and College of DuPage trustee Dave Carlin, who garnered 26.3 percent of the vote.

But Krause said the absentee ballots have not yet been counted and he is not ready to declare defeat.

"Let the process go through because every vote is important," he said. "That's the American way … what's important is every vote has been counted."

However Connelly was declaring himself the victor Tuesday night.

"(My supporters) are a group of people from all the (district's) towns -- Naperville, Lisle, Woodridge and Wheaton," he said. "Most aren't political people, they just know me through school, church and youth sports and they've always supported me. And grass-roots will always trump the insiders."

No Democratic candidate filed to run in the primary. The winner in November will replace retiring state Rep. Jim Meyer in a district that includes portions of Naperville, Lisle, Wheaton, Woodridge and Bolingbrook.

Connelly, 43, is an attorney and former Lisle village board member.

If he keeps his win in the primary and is successful in November, he said he will collaborate with leaders in Springfield.

"I'll need to work with (House Republican) leader (Tom) Cross on pushing forth the Republican agenda as an alternative to the dysfunctional madness of the past 13 months or so," he said.

Improving transportation, attracting businesses and keeping taxes low are among his priorities.

"For this district it's no big secret for Naperville transportation issues really are at the forefront, with EJ&E, working with the state Department of Transportation and the county on improving the transportation system here," Connelly said.

But at the same time, he also wants to cut state spending and follow a "zero-growth budget."

If the state looks to gambling expansion to increase revenues, Connelly said he would support the state issuing its 10th casino license, which is currently unused. However, he opposes proposals that would allow Chicago to run its own casino.

To improve funding for education, Connelly would first want to audit the Chicago Public Schools to identify wasteful spending.

Though he admits his property taxes are high, he is skeptical of proposals to lower property taxes while raising income taxes and expanding the sales tax base. He said the current system allows his tax dollars to stay in local schools.