*** UPDATE *** Sen. Nybo just told me that he has not conceded.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* This means the SDems have picked up two seats so far, with one still in the balance
Sen. Mike Connelly (R-Lisle) is leading Democrat Laura Ellman by just 12 votes, with more to be counted or determined (uncounted mail-in, provisionals, challenged mail-in).
* Rep. Peter Breen’s (R-Lombard) fate has been sealed since election night, and he conceded via Facebook yesterday. It’s quite something…
Dear Friend,
In life, there are some things that you can’t really understand unless you have experienced them first-hand. I’ve reached such an understanding.
I can’t fully convey to you the feeling of cradling our newly adopted baby son, whom Margie and I brought home a little over a week ago. And I can’t fully convey the feeling of viewing ads on television trying to connect you to rapists and child molesters, while cradling that same baby. Or the feeling of having over $2 million in Madigan money used to smear your character to your family and neighbors, in a small targeted area of three lovely suburban towns.
If you want to see why capable and qualified people don’t run for office, this is why. The opposing effort against us was a vile, filthy campaign of character assassination. It was a campaign straight from the Madigan Machine playbook, which has no ethical constraints. I had hoped and prayed that the people of the 48th District would reject this brand of politics, but it simply didn’t turn out that way.
Providentially for me, our family now has a beautiful new baby, a fragile little life. His cries in the middle of the night put partisan politics in their appropriate perspective. Margie and I are truly blessed, and that’s what we’re focusing on today.
Reflecting on my four years in the Illinois House, I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish: passing 32 bills into law, more than any other two-term legislator; leading debate on many hundreds of Madigan agenda bills as Minority Floor Leader; and helping many individuals, families, nonprofits, and businesses in our district with a variety of issues.
I am very proud of how I did it: I never lied, I never cheated, and I never stole. I endeavored in every circumstance to act as a gentleman, in accord with my faith, my training, and how my parents raised me. And I hope that’s how folks remember me in the Illinois House: as a fierce advocate, and as a leader, but always as a gentleman.
As tough as today is for Margie and me, we feel most for the many, many hundreds of people who volunteered for and contributed to my campaign, going back to that first run in 2011 for the Lombard Village Board. We’re grateful for the 22,724 people who voted for me yesterday. Those folks rejected the Madigan Machine, his out-of-control spending, and his tax hikes. They deserve better.
You should feel as proud of this campaign as we do. We went toe-to-toe with Madigan on a variety of fronts, both in the mailboxes of our persuadable voters and on cable television. I’m told we talked to more voters on their doorsteps than any other GOP State House campaign in the Chicago metro area. We won the lone debate, and we secured the top newspaper endorsements, from the Tribune and Sun-Times.
We did everything within the rules that could be done to win, against incredible political headwinds, on a night when Illinois Democrats took the overwhelming majority of DuPage seats in the General Assembly, along with two suburban congressional seats.
One thing certain about politics is that the winds change. You’re up one day and down another. We will get through this.
It has truly been my honor and privilege to serve so many fine people as their Representative in the Illinois House.
Please know of Margie’s and my prayers for you and your family, and we appreciate your prayers for our family.
Yours faithfully,
Peter
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:07 pm:
Is that soon-to-be-former Rep. Breen’s newborn crying in the middle of the night, or is it soon-to-be-former Rep. Breen crying in the middle of the night, and day, apparently?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:10 pm:
The phony Breen… burned his ships… tried to swim back… drowned on the way back, with that anchor of righteous indignation weighing on his back.
It’s time for the ILGOP to realize the formula of 1994 melding will grow the party. We don’t need righteous indignation. We’ll see if this is addition by subtraction.
Mr. Nybo lost.
That’s all I’ll say about that.
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:11 pm:
“Quite something” is an understatement.
“But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” James 4:6
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:11 pm:
Because Madigan!!
- Montrose - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:15 pm:
Dude. You didn’t even acknowledge your opponent, let alone wish them luck. Just a tiny bit of class would have been nice.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:17 pm:
Well. Don’t let the door hit ya, Breen.
- Father Ted - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:17 pm:
I really liked everything Breen was writing until he made it about Madigan. It went from good social commentary about the sorry state of politics and discourse in the context of the innocence and love of an infant to a Rauner-esque fixation on Mike Madigan.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:18 pm:
1994? So going back a quarter of a century will work in 2019 and beyond?
Let’s bring back rotary phones, 30 cent gas and $5000 new cars.
- Doofman - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
“And I can’t fully convey the feeling of viewing ads on television trying to connect you to rapists and child molesters, while cradling that same baby. Or the feeling of having over $2 million in Madigan money used to smear your character to your family and neighbors, in a small targeted area of three lovely suburban towns.”
So when it’s a Democrat it’s “Madigan money” but when it’s billionaires that have backed “rapists and child molesters” in the GOP giving him money too, it’s unfair to call it out?
- Al - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
Good ridden to Merchant of Death Peter Breen who voted against SB 2332 to raise the tobacco sale age to 21. See book Merchant of Death.
- Robert the Bruce - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:19 pm:
Did Breen campaign send out any negative mailers?
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:20 pm:
–I had hoped and prayed that the people of the 48th District would reject this brand of politics, but it simply didn’t turn out that way.–
Perhaps your prayer was answered, just not to your liking.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:22 pm:
Why do you think it’s been since 1994 that we openly showed a diverse strong party?
You had Edgar… and Jim Ryan… how about JBT and Didricksen… George… Pate and Lee… you see uniformity to thoughts or beliefs, outside that 80% rule?
You had real crews, different, pulling in ONE direction, while going their own ways.
In 2019, we need youths, minorities, we need more voice, and more languages… we need Chicago, Cook, Collars, Downstste.
You seeing that now?
Yep. 1994.
Republicans can do better.
Will we?
- potato - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:26 pm:
Breen might want to Google “Bible verses about arrogance”
- Been There - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:26 pm:
Fair enough
- Sandra in Glen Ellyn - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:31 pm:
Peter Breen: I wish you and your family all the best in your next endeavor. I am a Democrat who has previously supported a Republican for this seat in the Statehouse. Your assessment that people who didn’t support you went along with the Madigan machine. Personally I find that offensive. I voted for Terra Costa Howard because her positions are more in line with my views. I’ve met her and spoken with her on numerous occasions and found her to be smart, personable, accessible to our community and a strong advocate for the values I cherish. I agree with the previous commenter who noted you failed to congratulate your opponent for a hard fought race - that would have been the right thing for you to do.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:34 pm:
With a little luck he is done. With no luck he runs as Ives’ lieutenant governor
- Thomas Paine - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
@Sandra -
That’s because he was too busy congratulating himself and chiding the foolish voters.
- DuPage Bard - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:35 pm:
So has Peter ever spoken out about ads with child molesters and rapists used against Dems? Did he care about their children when the GOP used it? Did he think about their feelings when the GOP used it?
This is what is called campaigning. This is what is called the trenches and the battle. Until both sides disarm in this rhetoric expect it to happen. All future candidates be warned it’s not stopping and both sides have the ammunition to use.
You sold out your conservative values when you went back to Bruce. You sold out you’re allowance to whine when you went back hat in hand begging for campaign money. You will not be missed in the circle. Your lack of awareness and this whiny garbage only further your fall from leader to snowflake.
- Amalia - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:37 pm:
Breen, dude you are just bad.
- Gooner - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:38 pm:
Breen advocated for a number of policies that would cause serious harm to women, all because he claimed his religion required it.
With that in mind, it is tough to do anything but laugh because he thinks Democrats are too darn mean.
- hisgirlfriday - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:40 pm:
@OW - You say you want the IL GOP to not be the party of righteous indignation but 1994 is your IL GOP model year for this? The year Bob Michel was forced out in favor of Newt Gingrich? Huh?
- Nearly Normal - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:40 pm:
Breen now has more time to devote to his position as special counsel to the ultra conservative Thomas More Society.
- Hooper From 48 - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:40 pm:
This is the least gracious “concession” I have ever seen. I have lived in this District for over 20 years and I have never seen such an attack as that against Terra Costa Howard. Two and sometimes three pieces of mail every day accusing her of everything short of performing late term abortions in her basement. Breen hardly holds the high ground here and invoking his latest adopted addition to his brood does nothing to mitigate the ugly tactics he used during this campaign. Terra is a smart and qualified candidate - the people of the District have spoken. We are done with narrow-minded misogyny and anti-gay bigotry. It’s time for a representative who speaks for the entire District.
- Just the Facts - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:44 pm:
Was there a more flagrant conflict of interest in the current General Assembly than Breen leading the floor debate and VOTING on abortion issues while being in the employ of a Pro-Life group and personally writing and filing the briefs for said organization in court?
Where does that fit into the righteous indignation?
- Dodger's Blue - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
So no mention of the $50 million used by Rauner and other GOP candidates to attack Madigan and his family personally and professionally. What a hypocrite.
- Chris P. Bacon - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:45 pm:
Breen makes fair points, problem is he has no credibility after gorging on Rauner cash, some of which derived from harming people.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:46 pm:
===The year Bob Michel…===
From Illinois….
===Newt Gingrich===
… from Georgia.
You think the Georgia way of being a Republican will work in Illinois?
National vs. Local
Illinois Republicans that have been successful statewide, and nationally have never been Far Right, less Henry Hyde, because of his district.
Peter Fitzgerald did not seek re-election.
Illinois 1994… add in racial diversity, reaching out to young voters, narrowing the gap between men and women voters.
Lots and lots and lots of work to do.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:47 pm:
Oswego, the state and the nation are far, far different than they were in 1994.
Not going to happen, unfortunately, at least not in Illinois.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:50 pm:
Another example of people not leaving the Republican Party but the Republican Party left them.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:51 pm:
===the state and the nation are far, far different than they were in 1994.
Not going to happen, unfortunately, at least not in Illinois.====
Ugh…
I wrote…
===Illinois 1994… add in racial diversity, reaching out to young voters, narrowing the gap between men and women voters.
Lots and lots and lots of work to do.===
If the ILGOP can’t do that… so far, have they really tried?
Also, pick a name, if you want to discuss further. It helps when following along.
- Honeybear - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:52 pm:
Look, I take exception, as clergy, to Mr Breens understanding of Christian faith. I’d like to point out that he facilitated and encouraged incredible human suffering during the impasse. He directly contributed to the suffering of the “least of these”.
The private social service providers won’t recover for at least a decade. See you in church. You’ve been away for 4 years
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 12:57 pm:
So the Madigan denial continues. Of course he isn’t to blame for anything. He doesn’t direct campaign spending, he doesn’t control what get’s voted on. He’s just someone’s nice old grandpa. Breen was a little raw but in a state that is failing fiscally due in large part to Mr. Madigan I would sooner hear some honesty. Let’s see just how independent Howard is, I suspect she’ll vote with her party most of the time. But time will fill in the blanks.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:01 pm:
- NeverPoliticallyCorrect -
Raunerism lost. Lost by 14+ points, didn’t break 40%…
Raunerism wasn’t the answer. The blame Madigan thingy continues to bring to Republicans super minoritiy Caucuses in the GA, and loss after loss of statewide races.
Being against Madigan isn’t telling Illinois what Republicans are for.
- Suburbs - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:16 pm:
Nybo & Breen are both guilty of political malpractice which will be proven when they file their campaign disclosure reports to show they both have tons of money left in their accounts. Both of their reputations have been greatly hindered by this. If you lose with that much money left over you are at best incompetent or in Nybo’s case much worse.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:16 pm:
NPC — I know Terra pretty well. She’s a Democrat, so I’m guessing she’ll vote with the party most of the time. But she will never take a vote that would harm her district, and she will always remember that it’s her job to protect vulnerable people, in her district and throughout Illinois. (That sounds like campaign blah-blah until you remember that she has worked as a guardian ad litem for years and years, so these folks are her clients. She knows what it means to a family when a child needs immediate psychiatric help and the only open bed is 40 miles away, because the state hasn’t paid its bills.)
- Leslie K - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:18 pm:
In the midst of all his sanctimonious rhetoric, in which he utterly fails to be gracious to his opponent or at all honestly self-reflective, Breen has the nerve to claim he never lied? 99th GA, HB 3289, April 24, 2015 “I have law enforcement’s support on this bill.” Whatever your stance on ALPR, lying is not an honorable way to advance your position. Good riddance, for this and all the reasons mentioned by others.
- Soccermom - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:22 pm:
I wonder if Breen is ever going to call Costa Howard to concede. Or is she just supposed to follow him on Facebook?
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:22 pm:
“They deserve better.”
Yes, they do.
That’s why you lost.
You say 22,724 people rejected Mike Madigan, blah, blah, blah.
Maybe. But 25,483 people rejected you.
It’s called democracy. Our country is built on it.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:25 pm:
Now Breen can devote more time to forcing women to have unwanted offspring.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:29 pm:
Who is the bigger crybaby Peter, Breen or Roskam? Sheesh. Good riddance to these two buffoons.
- John Deere Green - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:34 pm:
==We’re grateful for the 22,724 people who voted for me yesterday. … They deserve better.==
The rest of ‘em can all pound sand, right Pete? Those others - you know, the ones you also still represent until January - must deserve whatever they’ve got coming for voting against such an upstanding, Christian, non-judgmental, “gentleman” such as you are.
Hey, can someone track down that scathing letter Breen wrote to Rauner and the ILGOP after they accused John Bradley of supporting child molesters? I’m sure it’s around here somewhere…
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:55 pm:
Based on this example, I shudder to think of the values he’ll teach that child.
- A guy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 1:56 pm:
==Who is the bigger crybaby Peter, Breen or Roskam?===
You.
- Jake From Elwood - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:06 pm:
Peter Breen is not without fault by any means.
Howvever, I vigorously oppose those who attack him based on his adherence to religious principles. Why is it fashionable to bash Christians and Roman Catholics but taboo to bash other religions? I do not understand the disconnect. Criticize policy all you like, but leave personal faith beliefs out of it.
That being said, I have crossed paths with Terra Costa Howard in the past. She has the temperment to deal with the Mike Madigans and Lou Langs of the State. She appears to be a very genuine and caring person and I hope Springfield does not crush those excellent qualities.
- JoanP - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:09 pm:
Congratulations on your new baby, Mr. Breen. I know you’ll do an excellent job explaining to him why throwing temper tantrums doesn’t accomplish anything.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:10 pm:
- Jake From Elwood -
My beef is the righteous indignation only to swim back to Rauner.
We in the GOP need a big tent to win, and not those like Breen who chastise others for their thoughts on issues as he went back to Rauner after his manifesto…
I don’t need Breen to shrink the GOP, the GOP is doing that all by itself.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:12 pm:
Ugh… people…
Can’t ya just be happy, as a caring human, for the Breen family and the baby?
I congratulate the Breen family on the baby and wish them happiness.
- SueFromSandwich - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:17 pm:
The guy lost the election and you guys are still taking shots at his newborn child. Keep it classy Cap Fax.
- Jake From Elwood - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:20 pm:
OW, my point was not directed at you. I am a member of the OW posse.
However, others on this thread have not proven that they can differentiate between attacks on policy and attacks on religious belief. Attacking Catholics is not any different from attacking (insert the name of any other religious group here).
Peace.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:25 pm:
- Jake From Elwood -
You know, we’re always “all good”, you keep me honest. Appreciate that. Sometimes, while it seems in direct, and “pointed” at you, it’s a way I can clarify leaving no doubt, to your very valid point in this instance.
Be well.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:26 pm:
Dear Senator Nybo,
Don’t be a schmuck. You lost. Concede and move on. Your vote totals aren’t going to improve as the vote by mail ballots continue to come in.
Buh bye.
CC
- Catholic - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:31 pm:
As a Catholic, I must confess that I am very very disappointed in state representative Breen’s judgment. Hi actions have caused the great damage to the children of Illinois. He has been a part of creating a culture of heat in anger in state government. For Breen to blame others for his record of oppression and hateis just plain ridiculous. I am shocked that in his concession letter he hides behind an infant child in order to Curry sympathy.
- Ike - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:36 pm:
Suefromsandwich - who here attacked breen’s newborn? Spare us the righteous indignation.
- Bucky - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:47 pm:
I have a lot of respect for Breen, but his post was really lacking in class.
- Cream of Wheaton - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 2:47 pm:
Then Breen should not have used his child as a political tool
- Soccermom - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 3:06 pm:
This thread reminds me of something a dear friend told me when I was upset over my mother-in-law’s constant nastiness.
I said, “Why does it make me so angry when she says, ‘You call yourself a Christian?’”
And my friend said, “Because those are fighting words.”
Those of us who “call ourselves Christians” find our own way to the Lord, and it is unseemly for anyone to claim that s/he has a hotline to heaven when it comes to the political sphere.
- Anonymouse - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 3:11 pm:
Good riddance to Breen and Nybo. As a Lombard republican, I voted against Breen and for Costa Howard. The guy was a two-face, knee-jerk which way is the political wind blowing today politician. Mrs Breen, enjoy both your babies.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 3:55 pm:
Congrats on your new baby Rep. Breen. Not so much on your whiny exit from office.
- Jaded - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 4:00 pm:
I can’t say whether or not Senator Nybo conceded, but I read a Facebook post from him that said he was “reconsidering his Facebook status as he returned to a private citizen in 2019.” Sounds like a concession to me…
- walker - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 5:15 pm:
Mr Breen, best wishes with your role as father to a new child. You are correct: other things pale in importance.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 5:54 pm:
My experience has been that the people with WEJD wristbands are the first ones to stab you in the back.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 6:13 pm:
Meant WWJD.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 6:34 pm:
–Why is it fashionable to bash Christians and Roman Catholics but taboo to bash other religions?–
Not really seeing that here, but I’m pretty sure Muslims and Jews don’t have a walk in the park everywhere in the world.
Like, Pittsburgh. Or Xjianjing.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 6:41 pm:
==Who is the bigger crybaby Peter, Breen or Roskam?===
You.–
A Guy’s off the milk-carton.
Did you square with everyone else on that Roskam win by 10-plus bet you were chest-pumping about a few weeks ago?
You can give mine to Catholic Charities. I’m sure your guy Rauner still owes them money.
- Dupage Moderate. - Thursday, Nov 8, 18 @ 11:10 pm:
Never knocked on my door….Howard did…thrice.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 9:07 am:
==principles. Why is it fashionable to bash Christians and Roman Catholics==
It has never been fashionable to bash Christians. However bashing hypocrites is always in fashion.
- A guy - Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 9:39 am:
==You can give mine to Catholic Charities. ==
I admire your charitable notion here, and will take it as genuine. In return, I’ll do both. Ensure RM can buy you the round and donate to Catholic Charities.
- A guy - Friday, Nov 9, 18 @ 9:42 am:
==A Guy’s off the milk-carton.==
Actually duty called. I’ve been busy. Missed you though…
==Never knocked on my door….Howard did…thrice.===
In that case, you’re likely not a Moderate.