© 2024 NPR Illinois
The Capital's Community & News Service
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Londrigan Sweeps 13th Congressional Primary, Moves Forward with Davis Challenge

In central Illinois’ 13th congressional district, Betsy Dirksen-Londrigan coasted to victory in the Democratic primary on Tuesday, and will be that party's candidate in the November election.

 
Londrigan, a Springfield native and former fundraiser for US Senator Dick Durbin (D, Springfield), beat out four other candidates for the nomination.


She’s already turning her focus toward the Republican incumbent, Congressman Rodney Davis. He’s held on to the seat since 2013, easily beating Democratic challengers in the last two elections.

Nevertheless, Londrigan sought to rally her supporters at JP Kelly's bar in downtown Springfield.

“You know, we’ve just been warming up. The real battle for the 13th starts right here, right now," she yelled as cheers erupted from the gathered crowd.

Davis was unopposed in the Republican primary. The district has voted solidly Republican in the last two elections. Londrigan says she’s ready for the challenge.

“You know, we’ve got so much excitement here in the 13th, to flip this seat from red to blue, and I’m gonna continue, and that’s what’s gonna carry us through. We have excitement from people in all 14 counties, and we’re gonna take it,” she said.  

Londrigan won the nomination with more than 45 percent of the vote. Her nearest challenger, former Illinois assistant attorney general Erik Jones, got just 22 percent. 
 The 13th Congressional District runs across central Illinois, from Champaign to Edwardsville, and includes all or part of Springfield, Decatur, and Bloomington.

 

Sam is a Public Affairs Reporting intern for spring 2018, working out the NPR Illinois Statehouse bureau.
Related Stories