La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and member of the Illinois House of Representatives, has won the U.S. House seat from Illinois’ 7th Congressional District. According to CBS News projections, he defeated Republican Chad Koppie, a Kane County farmer and longtime Republican candidate.
Ford will succeed Danny Davis, who decided to retire from politics after nearly 30 years of representing the district. The new congressman will take office in January.
La Shawn Ford to Succeed Danny Davis in Congress
Ford’s election night was an emotional one. At the victory celebration, the gospel song “Never Would Have Made It Without You” was played. Among those attending was outgoing Congressman Danny Davis, who personally congratulated his successor. The two politicians embraced before Ford took the stage to thank his supporters.
The new congressman did not hide his emotion. He stressed that the victory is a special moment and calls for an appropriate speech, even though the emotions and atmosphere of the evening made it hard to find the right words.
Davis represented the 7th Congressional District for almost three decades. It includes, among other areas, Chicago’s Loop neighborhood, a large part of the city’s West Side and several western suburbs.
New Congressman Brings Years of Political Experience
La Shawn Ford has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2007, representing the state’s 8th District. His electoral district partially overlaps with the boundaries of the 7th Congressional District.
It includes such communities as Broadview, Oak Park, Forest Park, La Grange Park, Maywood and Westchester.
Ford’s path to Congress ran through a competitive Democratic primary. He had to defeat as many as 12 other candidates to win the nomination and earn a place on the general election ballot.
On the Republican side, the nomination went to Chad Koppie, who defeated radio host Patricia Easley.
Chad Koppie Has Run Unsuccessfully for Office for Years
Ford’s Republican opponent has taken part in Illinois elections for many years. He repeatedly tried to win a U.S. Senate seat, running in 1992, 1996, 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2020, among other years.
He also ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1998 and for lieutenant governor in 2018.
This time, too, he failed to win the seat. Ford’s victory means the 7th Congressional District will remain represented by a Democrat. The new congressman will begin work in Washington in January, after Danny Davis’ term ends.
Source: Polski.FM
