Willowbrook doctor wins GOP Senate race

Willowbrook physician Steve Sauerberg won his first election Tuesday, taking the Republican U.S. Senate nomination and the right to challenge Illinois' veteran Democratic senator in November.

With 92 percent of the statewide vote counted, Sauerberg had 56 percent of the unofficial tally in the three-way race. Chicago Internet author Andy Martin had 34 percent, and Mike Psak, a Chicago trucker, had roughly 11 percent.

"People all across our great state believe that Springfield and Washington are broken, and they are right," said Sauerberg, who'd never before run for office.

His campaign received a rare boost when the state Republican Party formally endorsed Sauerberg, something he touted heavily to voters in recent days.

He also has said his medical background is perfect for the looming debate over what to do about health care across the country.

Psak also was making his first bid for public office. Martin had run frequently but never won.

Sauerberg will have little time to savor his victory. He'll face incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Springfield, who was unopposed in Tuesday's election.

Campaign reports show Sauerberg had raised a fraction of the $7 million reported by Durbin, the Senate's second highest-ranking Democrat.

Several Republican officials have said Durbin is the clear favorite in November, some going so far as predicting the national GOP will not open its checkbook to help the nominee.

Regardless, Sauerberg promised a vigorous campaign.

"Between now and November," he said, "I will fight for every vote in every corner of this state."