Paschke wins House 65 Democratic primary

Candidate Martha Paschke was victorious in the Democratic primary race for Illinois House District 65, according to unofficial results Tuesday night.

Paschke had 8,024 votes, or 66%, with all precincts reporting in Kane and McHenry counties. Her opponent Mohammad "Mo" Iqbal, who serves on the Kane County Board, had 4,131 votes. The tally included early votes in both counties and some votes by mail, officials said.

Paschke will face Republican incumbent Dan Ugaste in the November general election. Ugaste was unopposed in the GOP primary.

Paschke, 40, of Geneva, works as a patient intake coordinator and has extensive volunteer involvement, such as spearheading a local "Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America" group after 2016

She had heavy financial backing from the Democratic Party, whose support she earned through the work she's done in the district, she said.

Residents of the district need adequate mental health services, particularly in light of the opioid crisis and the rise in suicides among veterans and young people, Paschke said.

She supports a graduated income tax, which voters will decide on in November, and the Fair Maps Amendment, which would reform the state's redistricting rules and some lawmakers want to place on the ballot in November.