Incumbent Sen. Brad Burzynski (R-Clare) defeated former NIU law student and Democratic candidate Ryan Gailey Tuesday in the race for State Senator of the 35th District.

“I think people recognize the years of service and they appreciate it,” Burzynski said. “They pay it back with their support.”

Burzynski has served in the State Senate since 1993.

DeKalb County voted totaled 23,476 for Burzynski or 55.19 percent and 19,064 for Gailey or 44.81 percent. The district voted for Burzynski with 59 percent of the votes and 41 percent for Gailey.

Although he was defeated, Gailey said there was nothing he would have changed during his run for Senate.

“We did everything the right way,” Gailey said. He said his campaign refrained from negative campaigning against Burzynski.

Ryan Kerchner, Gailey’s campaign manager, said he was impressed with Gailey’s campaign.

“I thought we worked really hard,” Kerchner said. “Ryan’s never run as a candidate before. This was my first time running a campaign. We learned a lot, just wish we could have learned it sooner.”

Burzynski said his top priorities for his coming term include repairing the state economy, focusing on education funding and working on ethics reform within the state.

College Republicans Chairman Andrew Bogda said he is confident in Burzynski’s work for the 35th District.

“He’s very representative of the people in DeKalb County,” Bogda said. “He has strong agricultural ties, which is important for DeKalb’s economy.”

Gailey did not rule out the possibility of running in the future.

“I think if there were an opportunity, I would serve,” Gailey said.

As of now, Gailey said he will continue to serve as a soldier.