CHICAGO, March 3 (UPI) -- Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley claimed victory Tuesday night in the Democratic primary election for the U.S. House seat vacated by Rahm Emanuel.
With 95 percent of precincts counted in the crowded 5th Congressional District race, Quigley had 22 percent of the vote, the Chicago Tribune reported. That makes him the heavy favorite to win the seat that became open when Emanuel became President Barack Obama's chief of staff, the newspaper said.
Quigley made passing reference to the scandal that has clouded the state since Gov. Rod Blagojevich was ousted for allegedly trying to sell the U.S. Senate left open by Obama's election.
"After all the recent embarrassments, this was first chance that the voters had to voice their desire for change and they spoke loud and clear," said Quigley, who bested a dozen Democrats in a primary that drew a light voter turnout.
"They came through for me, and now I have to come through for them."
Quigley will now face off in an April 7 special general election against much lesser-known Republican and Green Party candidates in the heavily Democratic district. On the Republican side, Rosanna Pulido was the leading candidate, while Matt Reichel and Deb Leticia Gordils were the leading Green candidates.
