Peterson heads toward rematch with McLaughlin in November

Maria Peterson is headed for a rematch with her previous opponent in the race for the 52nd state representative district.

With ballots still left uncounted, Peterson received 7,389 votes, while her opponent in the Democratic primary, Erin Chan Ding, tallied 4,034 votes.

Peterson expressed her pride and appreciation for the result. She thanked Chan Ding for stepping forward and being a part of the race.

She credited the campaign team and volunteers who knocked on more than 8,000 doors.

“That work, and the voices of this community, are what brought us to this moment,” she said.

Chan Ding said she called Peterson to congratulate her and wish her well. She said she feels grateful in running for the seat, although the outcome is not what she was hoping to see.

“I've built so many relationships and friendships, and I've met so many amazing people throughout the 52nd District — people from Hoffman Estates to Algonquin to Barrington to Volo to Mundelein to Libertyville — who invited me into their houses for hot chocolate and iftar dinners or just to talk and warm up when it was 2 degrees outside,” she said.

The two waged a bitter campaign featuring insults, negative literature and questions about campaign ethics.

Now for Peterson, the focus will shift to unseating incumbent Republican state Rep. Martin McLaughlin in the fall.

Peterson, who serves on the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals, came close two years ago, falling short by 47 votes to McLaughlin. That election and a previous loss to Dan McConchie in the race for Senate District 26 left her open to questions about her ability to win.

Chan Ding, noting Peterson’s election track record and her own success in her two campaigns for the Barrington Area Unit District 220 school board, positioned herself as the best option for the general election.

Both candidates shared similar views on such issues as federal immigration enforcement, education and health care. The big issue dividing them was each other.

Peterson called out Chan Ding’s own school board’s decision to accept an outside investigator's findings that she violated district policies by using school resources, property and social media for prohibited political campaign activities.

Chan Ding sent out campaign literature citing Peterson’s election history with the phrase, “When Maria Peterson runs, MAGA wins.”