UPDATED 11 p.m. | Betsy Dirksen Londrigan fended off a challenge from Stefanie Smith to win the Democratic primary in the 13th Congressional District race and earn a rematch against Republican incumbent Rodney Davis of Taylorville.
Londrigan led Smith with 77% of the vote with around 80% of precincts reporting late Tuesday, according to The Associated Press. Londrigan won a five-way Democratic primary in 2018.
Both Democrats made expanded health care a key focus of their campaigns, though they differ on what they’d like to see. Londrigan has called for a public option, which would put government in the health insurance business to compete against private insurers. Smith, a first-time candidate from Urbana, advocated for a single-payer system known as Medicare For All.
Davis has served in that seat since 2013. He will be seeking a fifth term in November. He defeated Londrigan by about 2,000 votes in 2018, in one of the most hotly contested congressional races of that election cycle when Democrats won back control of the U.S. House.
Davis was unopposed in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
I want to thank the election judges, poll workers, and everyone else who made today possible. I also want to thank everyone who voted. Whether by mail, early in-person, or today at the polls, you made your voices heard and your participation is crucial for our democracy.(1/5) pic.twitter.com/arvTlTWM3X
— Betsy Dirksen Londrigan (@BetsyforIL) March 18, 2020
The 13th District includes parts of 14 central and southern Illinois counties, including parts of Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana and Springfield.
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