State Sen. Darin LaHood wins special election for 18th Congressional District seat

State senator Darin LaHood won yesterday’s special election for the vacant seat in the 18th Congressional District.  

He replaces ex-Congressman Aaron Schock, who resigned this spring amid reports questioning his campaign and office finances.  

LaHood, a Republican from Peoria, says an immediate next step is hiring local staff:

“So we can have the best constituent service and best represent this district, and then next week at some point we’ll have to go out to DC and hit the ground running out there.”

LaHood says he plans to resign from the state senate before next Thursday when he’s sworn into Congress.  

LaHood defeated Democrat Rob Mellon of Quincy by capturing nearly 70-percent of the vote.