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Moments after Republican and East Peoria Councilman Mike Unes was declared the winner of the 91st District House race, he promised to “face the challenge head on.”
“We prevailed. We prevailed by being truthful and staying on message,” Unes said to an Embassy Suites conference room packed full of friends and family during an election night party Nov. 2. “We prevailed by not letting the mud distract us from our game plan. … Isn’t it gratifying to know that the truth still counts?”
Unes, 36, defeated incumbent Democrat Mike Smith, 44, of Canton, who has served for the last 16 years in the position. Smith, who conceded the race, called Unes at about 10:30 p.m. to congratulate him.
Unes was elected with 16,778 votes, or 54.5 percent, while Smith received 14,003 votes, or 45.5 percent.
“They told me he was going to be calling, and I was very appreciative of that,” Unes said after he was declared the winner. “He made a very gracious phone call, and we had some nice words. ... This feeling is indescribable. I’m very humbled. It’s very overwhelming, the feeling that I have.”
Smith could not be reached for comment.
The mood of the nearly four-hour evening was one of excitement and celebration.
Cheers continually erupted as the clock ran down and returns were shown on two large screens.
“Unes, Unes, Unes!” chanted the crowd more than once.
His wife, Natalie, was there by his side along with his four children.
“We’ve run a very positive and truthful campaign,” she said. “The kids have learned so much, and I’ve learned so much.”
Natalie said the months leading up to the campaign became difficult at times, especially when the campaign ads portrayed her husband in a negative light.
Most notably, abortion became a hot button, and a flier was sent out by Smith’s campaign claiming Unes would force a rape victim to bare her rapist’s child.
“He prefaced that the negativity was going to happen,” she said. “But, I was kind of taken aback. I found peace in my faith. (My husband) has been my rock. He found it easier to get over it than what I did.”
His parents Marie and David Unes were also there showing support for their son.
“He’s always wanted to serve the people,” his mom said with tears in her eyes. “I can’t tell you how proud we are of him. ... These are all our family and friends. We’re all ready to party.”
Moments after Republican and East Peoria Councilman Mike Unes was declared the winner of the 91st District House race, he promised to “face the challenge head on.”
“We prevailed. We prevailed by being truthful and staying on message,” Unes said to an Embassy Suites conference room packed full of friends and family during an election night party Nov. 2. “We prevailed by not letting the mud distract us from our game plan. … Isn’t it gratifying to know that the truth still counts?”
Unes, 36, defeated incumbent Democrat Mike Smith, 44, of Canton, who has served for the last 16 years in the position. Smith, who conceded the race, called Unes at about 10:30 p.m. to congratulate him.
Unes was elected with 16,778 votes, or 54.5 percent, while Smith received 14,003 votes, or 45.5 percent.
“They told me he was going to be calling, and I was very appreciative of that,” Unes said after he was declared the winner. “He made a very gracious phone call, and we had some nice words. ... This feeling is indescribable. I’m very humbled. It’s very overwhelming, the feeling that I have.”
Smith could not be reached for comment.
The mood of the nearly four-hour evening was one of excitement and celebration.
Cheers continually erupted as the clock ran down and returns were shown on two large screens.
“Unes, Unes, Unes!” chanted the crowd more than once.
His wife, Natalie, was there by his side along with his four children.
“We’ve run a very positive and truthful campaign,” she said. “The kids have learned so much, and I’ve learned so much.”
Natalie said the months leading up to the campaign became difficult at times, especially when the campaign ads portrayed her husband in a negative light.
Most notably, abortion became a hot button, and a flier was sent out by Smith’s campaign claiming Unes would force a rape victim to bare her rapist’s child.
“He prefaced that the negativity was going to happen,” she said. “But, I was kind of taken aback. I found peace in my faith. (My husband) has been my rock. He found it easier to get over it than what I did.”
His parents Marie and David Unes were also there showing support for their son.
“He’s always wanted to serve the people,” his mom said with tears in her eyes. “I can’t tell you how proud we are of him. ... These are all our family and friends. We’re all ready to party.”
Along with family support, political leaders came to cheer on Unes during election night.
U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, R-Peoria, who was elected to a second two-year term Nov. 2, said he was there to support both a friend and someone he considered the best candidate for state representative.
“First of all, he’s in public service for the right reason. He’s one of the most genuine, well-intentioned people that I know. He’s one of the hardest workers that I know,” Schock said. “He’s very smart. He asks tough questions. That’s precisely the type of person we need in Springfield.”
Schock said Unes’ “small business background” will help the state recover from one of the worst financial times.
“It’s not federal spending or state spending that creates jobs,” Schock said.
By the end of the evening, Unes was already looking to the job ahead.
“The election is over. It is now behind us. And our state is arguably in the worst shape of all time. We are 48th of 50 in job creation, and we are faced with a $13 million deficit. The task at hand is great, and the task at hand is very challenging. However, I am optimistic that with fiscal sanity and discipline — combined with working to create a job-friendly environment — that will grow our tax base and provide revenue for our top priorities, such as education and human services. We can get out of this mess. As a state, we have to live within our means. And as a state, we must stop spending more than we bring in. ... I will work hard every day as your representative. I hear and see the need to provide the best constituent service, and I face that challenge head on.”
Unes will be sworn in Jan. 12, and his council seat is up in April; however, he said he will resign before that time.
East Peoria Mayor Dave Mingus will appoint someone in the next months to fill his seat.
For more pictures, visit the photo gallery online.
