Another war veteran to face Roskam

Another Democratic Iraq war veteran will attempt to wrest the 6th Congressional District from Republican control this fall.

Jill Morgenthaler, a retired U.S. Army Reserve colonel from Des Plaines, handily won the Democratic primary Tuesday over opponent Stan Jagla, according to unofficial results.

She now will face Republican U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, who won a close election in 2006 against Tammy Duckworth, a former helicopter pilot wounded in Iraq.

"This is the start of the hard campaign" said Morgenthaler, who has served in Iraq and Bosnia.

With 98 percent of precincts reporting, Morgenthaler had 51,276 votes compared to Jagla's 15,272.

"I feel relieved," Morgenthaler said from her headquarters in Addison. "I think what I'm trying to do is resonating with voters."

Jagla, a Roselle businessman who pledged to end government corruption if he won, said he wanted to thank voters for their support.

Now, attention shifts to the Nov. 4 election, where Roskam has the edge in terms of incumbency and funding.

But "there's no such thing as a locked-up election," the Wheaton Republican said. "Serving in Congress is a great privilege. Every year you have to go back to the voters and say, 'do you want me to serve you again?' "

The 6th District has been traditionally a Republican bastion.

But Morgenthaler, who recently resigned as a top state adviser on homeland security, believes that is changing.

"Many people are frustrated with Washington," she said. "Life has not gotten better in the last two years."

Morgenthaler said the economy will be a focus in the campaign ahead, a priority Roskam echoed.