By Townhall Chicago News Staff
Illinois Rep. Marty McLaughlin, a Barrington-area Republican, lost his bid for a third term representing the 52nd District in Tuesday’s election, four years after winning the seat by 47 votes.
The loss adds to a difficult night for Illinois House Republicans, who lost ground to Democratic majorities statewide.
McLaughlin, who has served in the Illinois House since January 2021, said turnout in his district fell to about 44,000 ballots this year from about 60,000 in his previous election.
“It was nuts. The people were being accosted” near polling places, McLaughlin said, adding that the conditions were “not an excuse” for his loss.
McLaughlin called on Illinois Republicans to unify their messaging around two or three core themes so voters know what the party stands for. “You get what you vote for, so this will be interesting,” he said of Tuesday’s results.
McLaughlin said he intends to run for the seat again in 2028.
