Lake County Gazette

Incumbent State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) won re-election to Illinois House District 52. 

He was successful in his campaign against Democrat Mary Morgan. McLaughlin took to Facebook to send his message of gratitude to his supporters and campaign volunteers just before the election results were announced. He emphasized that his victory is a team-wide effort, and the real work requires a collaborative effort from everyone.

“To all my volunteers, supporters, precinct committee persons, and the concerned citizens who have assisted me during this election cycle, please accept my heartfelt thanks," McLaughlin said on Facebook. "Although my name is on the ballot, no one runs for office alone. It’s impossible. And frankly, the relationships, friendships and fun that comes from this difficult task are worth every minute of time that I get to spend together with my supporters, volunteers and constituents."

He also pledged "to continue to support those folks who are willing to run for public office and willing to continue to support our shared belief that government can do better and can be more efficient for our taxpayers." He encouraged everyone to work on changing the state and country, "united together in our cause for more freedom and less government.”

“I have made hundreds and thousands of new friends while serving in public office and it has been my genuine pleasure - no matter how tonight turns out for myself and others," McLaughlin added. "Good luck to my friends who are also on the ballot today. If you’ve run a great race, being direct, honest and forthright, you have already won and separated yourself from many who have taken a decidedly different path.” 

At last count, McLaughlin had 52.4% of the vote with 18,666 votes to Morgan’s 47.6% and 16,951 votes, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

McLaughlin has been a critic of the SAFE-T Act, which is slated to go into effect on Jan. 1. Critics fear the new law will destabilize neighborhoods by allowing defendants to remain in communities while awaiting trial rather than being locked up if they cannot afford bail, according to a previous report from the Lake County Gazette. 

"The SAFE-T Act will put the public and law enforcement officers at greater risk than ever before," McLaughlin said as he co-sponsored legislation that would repeal the SAFE-T act and restore cash bail, according to the Kane County Reporter.

He is also strongly opposed to the now-approved Amendment 1 to the Illinois constitution, saying that it would give public sector labor unions more power than they already have. He says that it is an "overreach and is unnecessary," and that public sector labor unions already have collective bargaining powers and that they do not need enhanced powers, the McHenry Times reported.

Republicans had great hopes for the election, but only 78 of the 118 House seats were contested, and only 25 of the 59 Senate seats were challenged. Democrats maintained their supermajorities in both houses of the General Assembly in the first general election without former House Speaker Michael Madigan, according to the Chicago Tribune.