Chris Balkema is likely to be the next state senator in the 53rd District.
The Associated Press called the race shortly before midnight. Balkema won the four-way primary with a 49.4% majority.
"I had a great team that was on the ground, a grassroots team that has been super engaged for the last six months," Balkema said after declaring victory around 10:30 Tuesday night. "I'm so thankful for all the work that they've done."
The Grundy County Board chair faced three other Republicans to replace retiring incumbent Tom Bennett. They included Faber, a Pontiac agriculture, family farm CEO Mike Kirkton and former Bennett chief of staff Susan Wynn Bence.
Balkema says improving the state’s financial standing to attract business and lowering the number of immigrants into the state are priorities as he prepares to head to Springfield.
"I look forward to working across the aisle with folks to ensure that we don't continue to bring so many people in," said Balkema. "Or [have] so many people brought to us from other states where we burst at the seams and don't have the ability to take care of them. I think we need to stop that."
There is no Democratic candidate for the seat. The district covers parts of 13 counties, including significant portions of McLean, Woodford and LaSalle.
