Voters have nominated Jennifer Korte of Edwardsville in the Republican primary for the 112th House District race.
Overall, Korte earned 4,414 votes over rival Joe Hackler of Granite City who received 2,153 votes.
"It has been a long road, but the results are in and we have done it," Korte posted on Facebook Tuesday night. "Joe Hackler respectfully called and conceded. I look forward to beating Katie in November."
On Wednesday morning, she added, "This victory is the culmination of hard work and sweat equity but sweet as this win is – the reality is the mission is far from over.
"I got into this race to beat Katie Stuart. It is imperative we have someone in Springfield who will stand up for the common-sense conservative values of hard-working families. I am running to change the culture of corruption in Springfield, and I will never abandon my conservative principle and values or the people of this district. I will prioritize working families over political insiders in Springfield and work to create jobs and opportunities to grow our economy and get our state’s financial health in order."
Madison County voters, making up the majority of the district, chose Korte over Hackler, 68-32, with Korte receiving 3,290 votes to Hackler's 1,566 votes.
Voters in St. Clair County favored Korte by a similar margin, 66-34. Unofficial results show Korte received 1,124 votes to Hackler's 587 votes.
Korte will go on to face Democrat incumbent Katie Stuart of Edwardsville in the November general election.
Republican voters outnumbered Democrat voters in the House District 112 race, as well as races across the state. Turnout in St. Clair County was 58-42 Republican to Democrat.
Korte and Hackler combined received 6,567 votes compared to Stuart's overall total of 5,112.
During the course of the primary campaign, Hackler and Korte both expressed traditional, conservative positions, but they appealed to different factions of the Republican base.
Korte, a political newcomer who decided to run for office after battling public school mask mandates, had grassroots support derived largely from her advocacy for the parents' rights group, Speak for Students.
Hackler, who works as communications director for the Illinois Republican Party, had been endorsed by establishment Republicans, including local Reps. Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) and Charlie Meier (R-Okawville). He's also been supported financially by the House Republican Majority and House Republican Leader Jim Durkin. He outraised Korte by about 4-1.
On Monday, as campaigning wrapped up, Korte reflected on her political journey.
"I have made some amazing friends and I am so honored by all of the endorsements," she wrote in a Facebook post. "I’ve met some wonderful people in our district and I’m thankful they have taken the time to hear about my campaign.
"Things have not always been easy, but I can honestly say I would not change a thing about this election. No matter the outcome, I will hold my head high and know that I ran this campaign with honesty and integrity."
Hackler reflected on his candidacy as well before votes were tallied.
"Over the last few months I have knocked on thousands of voter doors and spoken at dozens of events," Hackler wrote in a Facebook post on Monday. "In each instance, I was unafraid to tout my common-sense conservative vision of Illinois where we immediately address out-of-control inflation, lower taxes, cut wasteful spending, back the police, end corruption, defeat the liberal 'woke' agenda, and protect our Second Amendment rights and the lives of the unborn.
"...Ultimately, this race isn’t about me or about just winning elections. It’s about all of us standing up and finally saying enough is enough. It’s about taking our state back from radical progressives and the corrupt political elite. It’s about creating a better Illinois for our families."