Illinois Republican state Sen. Darin LaHood won the special election to replace disgraced Republican Rep. Aaron Schock by a landslide Thursday.
Lahood, son of former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, beat Democratic opponent Rob Mellon 69 percent to 31 percent, according to The Associated Press vote count.
The former prosecutor was widely expected to win the traditionally conservative 18th district.
Campaign finance reports indicate he raised over a million dollars more than Mellon for the campaign.
LaHood touted himself as being more conservative than his father during the campaign.
“I have my own record in public service. He has his own record,” he told the AP before his victory had been announced. “I’m proud of my record of being a state and federal prosecutor. … I’m going to take the same approach I took in the Illinois state Senate and be a constructive member of the Republican conference.”
The 47-year-old politician said he plans to take office next week.
Schock, once a rising star in the Republican party, resigned over a spending scandal in March.
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