Dem takes Hastert House seat

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Deanna Bellandi

Associated Press

CHICAGO - A longtime Republican district fell to the Democrats on Saturday when a scientist snatched former House Speaker Dennis Hastert's congressional seat in a closely watched special election.

Democrat Bill Foster won 52 percent of the vote compared with 48 percent for Republican Jim Oberweis. With 558 of 568 precincts reporting, Foster had 50,451 votes to Oberweis' 45,741.

Foster's special election win means he will fill the remainder of Hastert's term, which ends in January. The two will square off again in November, for a new, full term.

The 66-year-old Hastert, who lost his powerful post as speaker when Democrats took control of Congress, resigned late last year.

The race between Foster and Oberweis spawned a contentious campaign that saw both men turn to high-profile supporters to help sway voters in the longtime GOP district.

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama made a TV ad praising Foster; Oberweis had fundraising help from the apparent Republican nominee, John McCain, and Hastert's backing.

"It is a stunning rejection of the Bush administration, its Republican allies, and presidential nominee John McCain," said Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen in a statement.

The district will have a rookie congressman after years of enjoying Hastert's clout.

During his 21 years in Washington, Hastert funneled millions of dollars to the district that stretches from Chicago's far-west suburbs to almost the Mississippi River.

Hastert's is one of three open seats in Illinois this year because of GOP retirements.

Reps. Jerry Weller, who represents a district from the suburban sprawl south of Chicago to the farmland of central Illinois, and Ray LaHood of Peoria are also stepping down. Democrats' chances to pick up one of those seats improved when the Republican nominee to replace Weller dropped out of the race.

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