Lahood & Mellon Win Congressional Primaries

The Republican nominee to replace ex-Congressman Aaron Schock says he spent most of his campaign talking about his record as a state senator and former prosecutor, not his famous former U.S. transportation secretary father Ray LaHood.

State Sen. Darin LaHood won his party's nomination Tuesday. He tells The Associated Press his campaign team hit the ground running early on and didn't take anything for granted.

LaHood had early backing from the state GOP, more money than the other candidates and key endorsements, including from the National Rifle Association.

But one of his two GOP opponents, conservative writer Michael Flynn, argued voters were tired of party politics, particularly after the Schock scandal.
 
High school teacher Robert Mellon has won the Democratic primary to replace ex-U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock.
 
Mellon bested Springfield school board member Adam Lopez after a campaign season where both largely focused on issues affecting the middle class.
 
However, the road to the Sept. 10 general election will be difficult for any Democrat.

The central Illinois district is largely Republican.
 
Still, Democrats say they have a chance because of frustration with the Schock scandal.
 
Schock resigned in March after mounting scrutiny of his spending, including redecorating his office in the style of the estate in the television show "Downton Abbey.''

Mellon says being a veteran and teacher equips him to understand foreign and domestic policy.