Schneider declares victory in 10th Congressional District Democratic primary
Former U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider declared victory over Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering late Tuesday in the race to face Republican incumbent Robert Dold this fall in the 10th Congressional District.
But Rotering wouldn't concede, saying she was waiting for early-voting results.
With votes in all Lake County and Cook County precincts counted, Schneider was ahead of Rotering 42,275 to 35,089, unofficial results showed. Those numbers, which didn't include votes cast early or by mail, gave Schneider nearly 55 percent of the votes counted.
If Schneider stays in front after the final votes are counted, he and Dold will duel in November for the third time since 2012.
Schneider, of Deerfield, celebrated before supporters at Trax Tavern & Grill in his hometown.
He attributed Tuesday's win to his focus on issues 10th District residents care about, such as the economy.
"They're ready for me to come back (to Congress)," Schneider said.
But at a Deerfield hotel, Rotering wasn't giving up.
"We are still waiting for early voting results and do not have a conclusion," Rotering said through her campaign. "When we have all of the results, I will respect the judgment of the voters."
Rotering won many North Shore precincts, including those in the Highland Park, Lake Bluff and Lake Forest areas, results showed.
But Schneider dominated away from Lake Michigan, taking most precincts in the northwestern parts of the district.
Rotering and Schneider rarely disagreed on issues during the campaign, with both playing to the progressive base of their party.
However, they differed on the Iran nuclear deal. Rotering wholeheartedly supported it, while Schneider had concerns about loopholes that needed to be fixed to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons.
But now it's on to Dold, the Kenilworth resident who first won the seat in 2010 against Democrat Dan Seals but lost to Schneider two years later.
Dold defeated Schneider in 2014 to take the seat back.