Savage Holds Slim Lead in Illinois Vote
Rep. Gus Savage was leading a Democratic challenger in his fight to keep his job after allegations of sexual misconduct, and Secretary of State Jim Edgar, a pro-choice moderate, defeated an anti-abortion conservative Tuesday to claim the Republican nomination for Illinois governor.
In the 2nd Congressional District, with nearly 85% of the precincts reporting, Savage had 51% of the vote to 44% for newcomer Mel Reynolds. Ernest Washington, a follower of political extremist Lyndon H. LaRouche Jr., had a small percentage. The district represents parts of Chicago’s heavily Democratic South Side and some suburbs, and the winner of the primary will be strongly favored in November.
In another race, attorney Richard Phelan, whose ethics investigation prompted the resignation of House Speaker Jim Wright, won a four-way Democratic primary for the powerful Cook County Board presidency.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
