ILLINOIS VOTE: POSHARD DECLARES SELF WINNER IN 19TH DISTRICT

Illinois voters turned thumbs down on incumbent Reps. Gus Savage, Charles Hayes and Marty Russo in Tuesday's Democratic primary.

Turnout was heavy in another congressional district Democratic primary, this one in Southern Illinois, where voters decided which incumbent to turn out of office - both byproducts of the remap, which reduced Illinois' congressional delegation from 22 to 20.

In the sprawling 19th Congressional District - the only other in which incumbent faced incumbent - early reports of voter turnout indicated strong support for Rep. Glenn Poshard in his David vs. Goliath Democratic primary battle against fellow Democratic Rep. Terry Bruce.

Poshard spokesman Gary Wolf said Poshard was close to declaring victory in the 19th District Democratic primary against Rep. Terry Bruce.

With 59 percent of the vote counted, Wolf said Poshard led Bruce 58 percent to 42 percent.

"We're getting tremendous numbers in our Southern Illinois counties, up to 97 percent," Wolf said. "We're meeting or exceeding our goals in every county we've targeted, and we've won at least one of Bruce's counties so far."

State Board of Elections spokeswoman Pat Freeman said turnout in some of the district's Southern Illinois counties was so heavy that county clerks had to bring in extra ballots.

"We got got real strong turnout down south, which is where we needed it," said Poshard spokesman Gary Wolf. "We also expect some substantial Republican crossover votes."

"I just want to say this: This has been a long, long fight. This has been something we have worked very hard for that we felt for a long, long time," a jubilant Mel Reynolds told cheering supporters after posting a 2-to-1 victory margin over the Savage in the newly drawn 2nd District.

"I'll be the hardest working congressman that this district has ever seen. I make a pledge tonight: I'm going to work very, very hard for all of you. This is one congressional district - all races, all religions, all people working together. That is what America is all about."

Savage blamed the "white racist press" and "reactionary Jewish leaders" for his defeat.

It was Reynolds third run against Savage, who has been described as the worst member of Congress by one conservative columnist.

Reps. Bill Lipinski and Russo were thrust into the same congressional district as a result of this year's remap.

Lipinski, flanked by state House Speaker Michael Madigan, claimed victory but also said he was "humbled" by the tremendous support.

"This was a victory in every single area of this congressional district," Lipinski said to a cheering crowd. "Today the people of the 3rd Congressional District demonstrated that ... the neighborhood was more than a match for the inside-the-beltway PACman."

"Even though my career will come to an end shortly ... I wish Bill Lipinski the best. I certainly hope a Democrat wins this district," Russo said.

"We've had a great 18 years. We've accomplished a lot and did a lot for the people of the 3rd Congressional District. Unfortunately, the results didn't turn out as well as we'd like them to."

In the 1st Congressional District, Chicago Alderman Bobby Rush, a former Black Panther leader, led Hayes by 2 percent with 72 percent of the vote counted.

In the 5th District, incumbent Dan Rostenkowski led Democratic challenger Dick Simpson.

"It isn't easy working in a campaign when you're surrounded by negatives in every other campaign," Rostenkowski said.

A spokesman for 8th Congressional District challenger Gary Skoien said it appears incumbent Rep. Phil Crane will defeat Skoien to win the Republican nomination.

The spokesman said Crane was leading Skoien in both Cook and Lake counties.

In Rockford's 16th Congressional District, conservative Republican Donald Manzullo had a healthy lead over state Sen. Jack Schaffer of Crystal Lake. The winner will challenge Democratic Rep. John Cox in November.

In the north suburban 10th Congressional District, Rep. John Porter held a comfortable lead over GOP primary challenger and anti-abortion activist Kathleen Sullivan.