Joe McGraw

U.S. Representative Eric Sorensen will have an easier time hanging onto his seat going forward after clinching his race for re-election Tuesday.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen declared victory Tuesday in his re-election bid against GOP challenge Joe McGraw. Sorensen won with 53.8% of the vote.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen and Joe McGraw, the candidates for the 17th Congressional District seat, have contrasting views on a lot of issues, but perhaps their positions are most different on immigration and reproductive rights.

The two candidates for the 17th Congressional District that includes parts of Peoria, recently sat for half-hour interviews with WGLT. In the first of two stories, they talk about the budget, the deficit, and the broader economy.

Democratic congressman Eric Sorensen is far outpacing Republican rival Joe McGraw in fundraising with just weeks to go before election day.

The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) is naming McGraw, a retired judge, to its Young Guns program. It provides mentorship and other support to candidates in districts deemed competitive.

Republican Mike Johnson, speaking Saturday in Peoria, predicts victory for his party in November.