Peoria Standard

Incumbent U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL) has been projected as the easy winner in the 18th Congressional District.

With 207 of 776 precincts reporting, the Associated Press reported LaHood had 13,934 votes, or 79.1 percent, to 3,674 votes, or 20.9 percent, for Republican challenger Donald Rients. 

In seeking his second full-term, LaHood touted Republicans success in implementing the country’s new tax reform system.

“It’s what I would describe as once-in-a-lifetime tax reform,” he told the State Journal-Register. “I don’t think people had a lot of confidence or a lot of faith that the Republican Congress would get it done. We did.”

Throughout his campaign, LaHood also spoke of his unrelenting push for what he deemed more reasonable regulation. He also touted his recent appointment to the powerful Ways and Means Committee as a sign of his growing ability to influence in Congress.

LaHood became a member of Congress in 2015 when he won a special primary and special election to replace Congressman Aaron Schock, who resigned. He won his first full term in the November 2016.