Dold, Seals will face off in 10th District

Democrat Dan Seals will get a third chance at a 10th Congressional seat and newcomer Robert Dold upended a seasoned state legislator in Tuesday's GOP primary.

Dold, a small-business owner and attorney from Kenilworth making his first run at public office, rode a relentless ground campaign - including 60 stops on a tour bus the last few days - to defeat state Rep. Beth Coulson, who conceded defeat.

Dold emphasized using small business common sense in Washington and being fiscally conservative.

"I attribute the win to the voters resonating with the message," he said. "We were obviously very pleased with the results. We're not taking anything for granted."

With all 511 precints reporting, unofficial results showed Dold defeating Coulson 18,352to 14,442.

Coulson, who had a lengthy list of endorsements, including former Gov. Jim Edgar and John Porter - the congressman who held the seat before Mark Kirk won his first term in 2000 - said she would assist Dold.

"I pledged to do whatever I can to assist Bob in the general election because I recognize how important it is to keep this seat in Republican hands," she said.

"Victory in the 10th District may well usher in Republican control of the House."

Seals, a Wilmette businessman, won his third primary and gets another chance to take the seat for Democrats.

"We worked very hard. A lot of volunteers came out from all over the district," he said.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Seals had 47 percent, or 22,558, to Hamos with 21,947 votes, or 46 percent. Hamos conceded about 10 p.m.

"Everybody knew it would be a race to the end and would be very close," said Hamos spokesman Chris Lackner.

"Voters were engaged in this. This is a smart district, it's a very independent district."

He said Hamos, the leading fundraiser among all candidates with about $1.1 million, would support Seals.

"At the end of the day, we're all Democrats. The challenge becomes winning the seat in November."

Seals had extensive name recognition and a deep volunteer staff. He ran well against Kirk in 2006 and 2008, narrowly losing both times.

"We were outgunned financially but we had more people and already had the relationship," with voters, Seals said.

Rounding out the Republican ballot was Winnetka economist Dick Green, the largest fundraiser among Republican candidates, who was third with 14 percent, according to unofficial totals. Highland Park pediatrician Arie Friedman was fourth with 13 percent, and Paul Hamann, an electrical engineer from Lake Forest had 2 percent. For Democrats, Highland Park attorney Elliot Richardson was a distant third with 5 percent, according to unofficial totals.

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