POSHARD GETS THIRD TERM AS U.S. CONGRESSMAN

MARION, Ill. -- U.S. Rep. Glenn Poshard has been re-elected to a third term to Congress, but in a new district. He will now be serving from the newly drawn 19th Congressional District in Southern Illinois.

Poshard, a Democrat from Marion, defeated Republican challenger, Douglas Lee, handily. He declared himself the winner at 10:05 p.m., a few minutes after the Associated Press had declared him the winner. At that time, Poshard led 70 percent to 30 percent over Lee.

While projected to win solidly, there was some tension early in the evening for Poshard. Earlier this year, he had been the victim of redistributing, which had left less than 30 percent of his former 21st district intact. How his new district would vote wasn't certain. But early returns Tuesday night soon dispelled any doubts.

Lee, a Decatur attorney, was making his first appearance on the political scene.

The new 19th District includes all or parts of 27 counties, ranging from Macon, Moultrie and Coles counties in the north to Pulaski and Massac counties in the South.

Poshard was no stranger in his new district. During the primary this year, he emerged a winner over another Democratic incumbent, Terry Bruce, of Olney, Ill.

Poshard, formerly an educator in Southern Illinois, served four years as Illinois State Senator until his election to Congress in 1988, when long-time congressman Kenneth Gray retired. He was re-elected in 1990.

During his four years in Congress, Poshard has been a supporter of a balanced budget amendment and line item veto. He is a co-sponsor of a universal health care bill and favors lower congressional staff budgets and the elimination of MAC contributions.