Ratowitz, one of three very different contenders for the Republican 5th District Congressional nomination, defeated Illinois Minuteman founder Rosanna Pulido and former pharmaceutical executive Ashvin Lad for a chance to face Democratic incumbent Mike Quigley in November.

With 92 percent of all precincts reporting by press time, Ratowitz had 5,145 votes to Pulido's 4,268 and Lad's 3,592.

"We won because we waged a different kind of Republican campaign than I think voters have seen in a long time," Ratowitz said during a victory party at the Wise Fools Pub, 2270 N. Lincoln. "Our campaign was based on a very relentless grassroots effort. We gave a vision of an America that included all Americans as opposed to a small cabal of self-appointed wise men.

"The focus was on liberty and the voters responded. We look forward to representing this district in Washington."

It was a race dominated by promises of "jobs, jobs and more jobs" and public-works programs, as well as vows even from Republicans to crack down on Wall Street's "excesses."

Quigley, who was unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the general election, won a special election last spring to fill the vacancy left when Rahm Emanuel became White House chief of staff.

Ratowitz, a thoroughgoing free-market supporter who believes every dollar spent by government is one less dollar in the marketplace, sees across-the-board spending cuts.

Original here.