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Dillard easy winner in 24th Senate District

Kirk Dillard, a 19-year Illinois Senate Republican, has retained his seat in the 24th District.

With all precincts reporting, Dillard, of Hinsdale, defeated Democratic challenger A. Ghani of Oak Brook with 66 percent of the vote.

Dillard said he was humbled to win such an overwhelming victory on a night where many Democrats did well.

“I’m sad that some of my friends like Congresswoman Judy Biggert were defeated by the remapping process,” Dillard said late Tuesday. “But I am very heartened and humbled by the large margin of victory in my race.”

During his next two-year term, Dillard promised to vote to cut between $4 billion and $6 billion from the state budget, let the income tax hike expire and, most importantly, get pension reform done. He criticized Gov. Pat Quinn for not having reforms passed already.

“I have lived in eastern DuPage County my whole life and I have a renewed commitment to making Illinois work again,” he said. “For any new constituents unfamiliar with my career, they should know I have a unique background in state government and a track record of passing major legislation in a Democrat-controlled legislature.”

Dillard, who came within 193 votes of winning the 2010 GOP gubernatorial primary, also said he is ready to begin exploring a 2014 run at the governor’s mansion.

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