Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois Fifth Congressional District candidate Tommy Hanson said that voter turnout was the “lowest” in Chicago history. Hanson, who will now go on to face incumbent Democrat Mike Quigley, asked voters to participate in the general election.

"Turnout was very, very weak; the lowest in the history of Chicago," said Hanson, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress, Illinois Fifth Congresional District U.S., according to his post on Facebook. "The fifth district is river north downtown Chicago to Wrigleyville to O'Hare airport out to Barrington. It's over 70,000 people. Barely made over 20% turnout, and that's pretty bad."

In the video message, Hanson asked Chicago voters to participate actively in the general election. He outlined several necessary measures including tax cuts, military enhancement, oil drilling, and support for Donald Trump, stating that "America is in trouble and the world is depending on America to be a leader." He voiced his desire to back Donald Trump as president and assist him with his agenda so as to facilitate national progress.

The Chicago Sun-Times echoed Hanson's concern over low voter participation during the primary election. The publication quoted it as being "expected to go down in history as the lowest voter turnout for a presidential primary in 80 years." Max Bever, from the Chicago Board of Elections, reacted to this dismal turnout saying, "I sure wish I had some better news looking at the numbers, but we are looking at a shockingly low turnout," during an interview the Chicago Sun-Times.

On March 23, NBC Chicago reported that more than 10,000 ballots were overlooked in the unofficial vote count. With these added back into tallying, it was found that 368,990 ballots were cast in total in Chicago.

According to information available on his website, Hanson was born and raised on North Shore in Chicago. He has been serving as president of Hanson Commercial Real Estate for over three decades. His campaign website highlights his small business ownership and family-man status. It also mentions his belief in fiscal responsibility, full funding of law enforcement agencies and sensible growth.

Currently represented by U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Illinois’ 5th Congressional District covers parts of north Cook County and Lake County including cities such as Chicago, DesPlaines, Park Ridge, Lake Zurich, Barrington, Norridge, Elk Grove Village and Arlington Heights. Quigley, who has been in office since 2009, is seeking reelection to represent Illinois’ 5th Congressional District.