Hare
Hare leaps over Zinga
Democrat to 'get some sleep' before going to D.C.
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
GALESBURG - As of Tuesday afternoon, Phil Hare didn't know what his plans would be for the weekend. He only had things to do until 7:01 p.m., a minute after polls closed on Election Day.The Democrat beat Republican Andrea Zinga 56 percent to 43 percent, according to early returns. In one night he went from calling voters to thinking about voting for party leadership in Congress.
"Just a lot of work to do in a short time, but I don't mind that," Hare said. Sunday he heads to Capitol Hill for a new member orientation and to vote for Democratic leadership. He'll also find out which office he'll be assigned to based on a lottery.
In the meantime, "I'm going to get some sleep," said Hare, who earned 62 percent of the combined vote in the city of Galesburg and Knox County.
Hare will succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Lane Evans, D-Rock Island. Hare worked for Evans for 23 years as his district director and had an opportunity to speak with his former boss Tuesday night.
"I've got some very big shoes to fill," Hare said when he took the stage at an election party at the Four Points by Sheraton in Rock Island.
"Starting in January I'll be in Congress working every day to continue earning your support," Hare said during his speech. "I wish Andrea Zinga all the best moving forward."
Zinga, who was at Stern Beverage in Milan with supporters on election night, said she has no immediate plans. She said she's acquired new people skills that will be of value no matter what her future endeavors.
"I think in life as long as you're learning, that's good," Zinga said. "I think probably the smart thing to do is just get a job. Perhaps this was one gloriously big job hunt."
She's pleased with the results, and said it's an improvement from the 20-point loss she suffered to Evans in the 2004 election.
Zinga spoke matter-of-factly about the results and her wide open future, but it was when she talked about her supporters that she had to take a moment to choke back tears.
"I would've liked to (have won) for them," she said. "I know how many had pinned their hopes and their dreams and their prayers on this. I certainly have been surrounded by a great circle of people."
Hare's first day of session will be Jan. 3, 2007, but Evans will still serve the district during the lame duck session, scheduled to begin Monday. Although there is no end date scheduled, the previous four lame duck sessions lasted an average of seven days in the House.
The Vote
Knox County (Including Galesburg)
Phil Hare-D 9,409 62%
Andrea Zinga-R 5,767 38%
