8th District narrows slightly as Walsh plans for orientation

Joe Walsh has yet to officially be declared winner of the Northwest suburbs' 8th Congressional District seat and won't be for at least another week but the McHenry Republican continues to act like a congressman in waiting.

Walsh, who declared himself winner last week, issued a statement to his supporters Tuesday announcing plans to attend next week's House freshman orientation. The sessions, which begin Sunday, educate newly elected U.S. representatives on the ins and outs of life in Congress.

“Once the victory becomes official, we intend to have that victory celebration we weren't quite able to enjoy last Tuesday night,” the statement reads. “Rest assured as well, that we are diligently prepared to defend against any attempt to steal last week's victory away from us. We won't let that happen.”

Mary Vought, press secretary for the House Republican Conference, said it is standard practice for candidates in undecided races to participate in new member orientation.

In the meantime, Cook County election officials Tuesday said Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean gained three votes on Walsh narrowing his lead to 347 votes in the latest counting of absentee ballots. According to the office of Clerk David Orr, Bean, of Barrington, received eight votes from the 13 absentee ballots counted Tuesday. As many as 500 absentee ballots are remaining, the office said.

The latest numbers give Walsh 97,581 votes to Bean's 97,234. Green Party candidate Bill Scheurer got 6,459 votes.

Courtney Greve, a spokeswoman for the Cook County Clerk, said Tuesday's update would be the last until a final one the afternoon of Nov. 16. This is because the very low numbers now being returned would be inefficient to count on a daily basis and would put voter anonymity at risk. Also, the clerk's office has other post-election work that still needs to get done.

Dozens of uncounted absentee and provisional ballots also remain in Lake and McHenry counties. Officials there won't start counting them until Nov. 16.

Bean's campaign issued a statement Tuesday saying they are encouraged by the latest results.

“Now, more than ever, this race remains too close to call,” Bean spokeswoman Gabby Adler said. “In fact, nearly 70 percent of the absentee ballots counted since Election Day in Cook County were cast in support of Congresswoman Bean, which suggests that similar absentee numbers will be reported in Lake and McHenry (counties) between now and Nov. 16th.”

Regardless of who is declared winner next week, the vote is well within the range that the losing candidate would be entitled to a discovery recount. Depending on its results, a full recount could then be ordered.

The 8th District includes portions of Northwest Cook County, Lake County and McHenry County.

Staff Writer Eric Peterson contributed to this story.