McCarthy Edges Out Junkas in Tight State House Race

Long-term incumbent Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) said local issues in the 37th District race trumped the national sweep against Democrats.

A race between a seven-term incumbent and an unknown challenger came down to just more than 1,000 votes, as state Rep. Kevin McCarthy (D-Orland Park) survived the national pushback against Democrats. McCarthy, who has represented the 37th House District since 1997, won a tough battle against Republican challenger Jeffrey Junkas of Tinley Park. While battles between political newcomers and long-time incumbents are often landslides, this race came in McCarthy's favor 16,937-15,866 according to unofficial results from Cook and Will counties' clerk's offices. The district includes parts of Tinley Park, Orland Park and Frankfort. Reached for comment Tuesday night, McCarthy said the tight race was largely due to people who "voted against the …

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