Less than one percent of the total votes separated the Rep. Mike Smiddy and Jim Wozniak in the race to represent the 71st House District in the Illinois legislature.
With 100% of precincts reporting, Smiddy retained the seat he’s had since 2013 when he received 17,499 votes and Jim Wozniak got 17,218 votes, according to unofficial results from the Illinois Secretary of State’s office.
The declared winner and runner-up were separated by 281 votes. Illinois law allows candidates to request a recount if the total votes they received is at least 95% of votes counted for the declared winner.
The day after the election, Wozniak made it clear he did not plan to contest the ballot count.
“Today, I called Rep. Mike Smiddy to congratulate him on his victory and officially concede the race for the 71st House District,” said a statement issued by Wozniak.
“I could not have come this close had it not been for the people who dedicated their time, their resources and their prayers to this effort,” Wozniak said.
Wozniak left his job as Rock Island County Assistant State’s Attorney to run for the House seat. He acknowledged having to professionally move on, but he did not yet indicate a plan for his future career.
“Whatever the future holds, I will cherish the memories of what I experienced in this run,” Wozniak said, “and I will always work to help to better the lives of the people in the community where I live.”