Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon, will continue as the U.S. Representative for Illinois District 16.

With 99 percent reporting, incumbent Kinzinger received 61.8 percent of the vote against opponent Wanda Rohl, D-Ottawa. Rohl won DeKalb county by a slim margin.

“I look at this as a victory,” Rohl said. “We weren’t thinking we’d even get 25 percent but it ended up being a 60-40 split. I don’t know any other candidates that have done what we’ve done. This has not only helped us gain so much ground, but it’s a great learning experience.”

Rohl said the people deserve a voice in office. She said she is thankful for those who supported her campaign. She said knowing that 40 percent of the district voted for her is amazing.

“It has been an uphill battle and we plan to continue moving forward from here,” Rohl said. “We had to be competitive because we did this with no backing, simply from fundraising and donations.”

Rohl said she will be back to try to run as a representative again.

Kinzinger thanked his opponent for a race well fought.

“Republicans and Democrats need to improve on working together to find common ground,” Kinzinger said. “The only way for our country to move forward is for our leaders to have a mutual respect for one another and to focus on what unites, not divides us.”

Kinzinger said people must not forget the U.S. was founded on compromise, but, unfortunately, the word has been demonized by both sides.

Some of Kinzinger’s main goals and priorities are reducing the scope of federal government by eliminating unnecessary spending, promoting fiscal responsibility in Washington and expanding use of nuclear power options alongside development of other resources.

Rohl’s goals included maintaining a strong social safety net for all Americans, becoming more energy independent as a country and getting Americans back to work with good-paying jobs.