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Lipinski rolls into fifth term in Congress
U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski, D-3rd, of Western Springs recieves a hand shake before voting Tuesday St. James Lutheran Church in Western Springs. He easily won a fifth term in Congress. | James C. Svehla~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 7, 2012 6:08PM
WESTERN SPRINGS — Democrat Daniel Lipinski has won a fifth term representing the Third Congressional District, defeating Republican challenger Richard Grabowski.
With 95 percent of the precincts reporting, Lipinski, from Western Springs, has 69 percent of the votes cast, compared to Grabowski with 31 percent.
The new 3rd District, redrawn by Illinois Democrats following the 2010 Census, includes parts of La Grange, Western Springs, Indian Head Park and Burr Ridge and stretches from Chicago southwest to Romeoville and Homer Glen.
“I appreciate the overwhelming support, especially in a district with about 30 percent of the voters new to the district,” Lipinski said from a gathering with supporters at the Flagg Creek Clubhouse in Countryside.
Lipinski attributes his margin of victory to the way he listens to constituents and represents his district.
“What I heard people telling me at the polls is they appreciate my independence and my willingness to work across the aisle and work for solutions,” he said. “I listen to my constituents and I’ve developed their trust.”
Lipinski said he was surprised by the heavy voter turnout on Election Day morning, waiting 20 minutes at his polling place in Western Springs.
Although Grabowski didn’t concede the race, he said he was pleased with the results at the polls and unexpected support he encountered in Chicago.
“That’s not bad, 31 percent. We gave him a run for his money, more so than in other years,” Grabowski said. “The numbers in suburban Cook and Will counties were probably less than we thought. We definitely don’t have the ground game the Democrats have.”
Lipinski said he expected Barack Obama to win re-election, though he didn’t campaign for the president, preferring to concentrate on the 3rd District.
“Everyone knows over the last four years there are things I supported the president on and some things I have not,” Lipinski said. “I will continue to represent my district and hope that there are more things I can work with the president on in the next four years.”
A number of challenges await the president and Congress, requiring a great deal more cooperation, the congressman said.
“Despite the fact the American people are not really happy with the direction of the country, there is a return to Washington with the status quo,” he said. “It looks like the Republicans will keep the majority in the House, and the Democrats will have the majority in the Senate.”
The key issue facing Congress is the fiscal cliff and national debt.
“If we can work something out, maybe that will set a good path forward in cooperation between Democrats and Republicans coming together and getting some good things done.”
