Peoria's congressional delegation is split along partisan lines when it comes to opinions on President-elect Joe Biden.
The race was called for Biden, a Democrat, by several media organizations, including the Associated Press and NPR, after the candidate gained a definitive lead in Pennsylvania, securing the Keystone State's 20 electoral votes.
U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood, R-Peoria, said while he's disappointed by the presidential results, he believes fair, legal, and ethical elections are the cornerstone of American democracy--and their integrity must be protected.
"I support President Trump’s effort to ensure all legal votes are counted, and any evidence of impropriety must be investigated in a transparent way and litigated in the courts to ensure all Americans have faith in the electoral process," said LaHood.
Other Illinois Republicans, like U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger of Channahon, also have weighed in on the president's allegations of election fraud.
We want every vote counted, yes every legal vote (of course). But, if you have legit concerns about fraud present EVIDENCE and take it to court. STOP Spreading debunked misinformation... This is getting insane.
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) November 6, 2020
To date, none of the president's legal challenges to the voting process in several state have proven successful.
LaHood said he believes Republicans will still maintain significant influence on Capitol Hill, even without the White House.
"In this election, Republicans made important gains in the House and we have a good chance to keep our Senate majority, which will provide important checks on the liberal impulses of a potential Biden administration that will be encouraged by their far-left allies in Congress," said LaHood.
On the other hand, U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, said Biden's administration will turn the page on "four years of divisiveness, intolerance, and relentless attacks on the health care of everyday Americans."
"We are excited about this new chapter in our history and we know that President Biden will bring integrity, decency, and respect back to the White House," said Bustos, who called Biden an "invaluable asset" in protecting the House Democratic majority.
Bustos announced Monday she won't seek another term as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, as Democrats lost swing district seats that comprise an important part of their House majority. Bustos herself won her race against Republican Esther Joy King by just four points in a Trump district.
Bustos remains the only downstate Democrat in the Illinois congressional delegation after Betsy Dirksen Londrigan fell short in her rematch against 13th District Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville.
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