Former Rockford and Quad Cities TV meteorologist Eric Sorensen is claiming victory in his campaign for U.S. Rep for Illinois 17th District.
With 88 percent of the vote counted on Wednesday, Sorensen lead his Republican opponent Esther Joy King by about 8,000 votes.
Sorensen released a statement saying King has called to concede the race.
The 17th District has changed since the last election but includes Galesburg, Monmouth, Bloomington, Peoria, Rockford, and the Illinois side of the Quad Cities.
Sorensen replaces retiring Rep. Cheri Bustos after she served 6 terms in office.
Sorensen also becomes Illinois’ first openly gay Congressperson.
His statement goes on to say that he’s worked to serve the people of Illinois for 22 years, earning their trust by telling them the truth. He says he’ll bring that same honesty to fighting for “lower costs, reproductive rights, and good paying sustainable jobs” in the district.
