NPR: Democrat Captures Former GOP Speaker's Seat

Democrat Captures Former GOP Speaker's Seat

Former Republican Speaker of the House Denny Hastert represented his Illinois district in Congress for 21 years. But Saturday what had been a longtime Republican district switched when it elected Democrat Bill Foster in a special election.

The Associated Press reports that Foster, a wealthy businessman and scientist, defeated Republican businessman Jim Oberweis by capturing 53 percent of the nearly 100,000 votes cast in the election.

Republicans were quick to downplay the election's significance for the fall general election.

"The one thing 2008 has shown is that one election in one state does not prove a trend," National Republican Congressional Committee spokeswoman Karen Hanretty said in a statement.

But Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen predicted Foster's win would send out a "political shock wave."

"The message to Republican candidates is that John McCain's not going to be able to save you in this election," said Van Hollen, a Maryland congressman.

6:56 AM ET | 03- 9-2008 | permalink

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