Democrat apparent winner in tight State House race

(25 News Now) - McLean County Board member Sharon Chung is the apparent winner of a close race to become state representative in the new 91st House District.

Chung was opposed by Republican Scott Preston, who is currently a Normal Town Council member.

Chung declared victory late Tuesday night at McLean County Democratic Party’s election night headquarters in Normal.

“I hope I can be the representative you all deserve,” Chung told cheering supporters in a video shown on her campaign’s Facebook page.

Preston made no comment about election returns on his campaign’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

A large amount of campaign cash flowed into the race, paying for many television ads in a district drawn up by state Democrats to give their party a better chance to represent Bloomington-Normal.

The new 91st District includes parts of Woodford, Tazewell, and Peoria Counties, in addition to a large portion of the Twin-Cities.

Chung, an Illinois Wesleyan University graduate, is the daughter of Korean immigrants. She’s also a musician and teacher.

Preston, an Illinois State University graduate, is a small business owner. He was first elected to the Normal Town Council in 2013 and was the youngest council member in Normal’s history.

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