Republican state Rep. Ryan Spain of Peoria withstood his first general election challenge Tuesday to secure a sixth term representing the 73rd District in the Illinois House.
With 86% of ballots counted, Spain had just over 63% of the vote and a nearly 10,000-ballot margin over Democratic opponent Nicole Dopler, a first-time state candidate from the Quad Cities area.
Spain said he’s “deeply gratified” that his constituents chose to send him back to Springfield.
“It’s, in my opinion, an appreciation of the work that I give to the job, the help and assistance that is provided throughout the district, throughout central and western Illinois. So I'm looking forward to the work ahead,” said Spain.
“I do especially appreciate the opportunity to continue serving when we’ve experienced a very difficult political cycle, a recalibration and a response from voters throughout the country. They were able to differentiate their attitude about the national environment and the federal government and then give a resounding and very powerful mandate a reelection here.”
Spain, a former Peoria City Council member who also works in administration with Peoria-based OSF HealthCare, focused his reelection campaign on his existing record and his work to lower the costs of prescription drugs, housing and local government operations.
He said results across the country Tuesday sent a clear statement to those in office.
“The message I see is that at a national level, voters are saying, ‘We need to have more cooperation, more bipartisanship, and less extremism, certainly in the sense of our federal government,’” said Spain.
“But at the same time those same voters reelected me overwhelmingly to come to Springfield and to continue the work of being bipartisan, cooperative, and common sense.”
Dopler, a former medical care provider who served two terms on the Rapids City village board, faced an uphill battle competing in a heavily Republican district that includes parts of Peoria and Woodford counties.
“I am incredibly proud of the numbers that were put up, and I think it showed that I gave people a choice,” said Dopler. “I got my name out there. I’ll take a short little break and I’ll make sure I get right back to it because I’m wanting to represent people the same right now as I did earlier today.”
