State Rep. Christian Mitchell (D-26) beat opponent Jay Travis by 3,175 votes at about 56 percent on election night.

While Travis started out with a lead just after the polls closed at 7 p.m., Mitchell ultimately pulled the majority of the votes for the Democrat primary.

At his campaign party in the heart of the district at the Palmer House Hilton, 17 E. Monroe St., Mitchell and his supporters were already celebrating the win by 9 p.m.

“What the people in this district have done tonight is reaffirm the fight that we have taken up over the past four years and that is the fight that I intend to continue,” Mitchell said to a room full of his supporters.

Family, friends, campaign contributors and volunteers gathered to celebrate Mitchell Tuesday night. One of the people there was former Ald. Will Burns (4th), who introduced Mitchell into the room.

“So much of what I know about public service and frankly my example of what it means to be a great public servant comes from Will,” Mitchell said in a tearful thank you to the former politician. “I am standing here because you believed in me and you mentored me and you were more than just a mentor you have become a friend and a brother.”

The 2016 26th District race was the second time Mitchell and Jay ran against each other for the state representative role, the first time being in 2014.

“It [was] a spirited race and I appreciate and congratulate Ms. Travis on running a spirited campaign, but ultimately what I think the voters decided was that they value results over rhetoric,” Mitchell said.

He said his next plan of action is to continue to provide the 26th District with results in education reform, gun violence issues and pushing back on the state government.

Although he celebrated a win tonight, Mitchell acknowledged that he still has to win some of the district’s voters over in the general election on Nov. 8.

“I will say that based on the results there are some voters whose support I have not yet gained but I need your input,” he said. “I need your ideas because it’s my intention the next two years to be your representative as well.”

 

[Via: Hyde Park Herald]