Rockford, Ill. – The race for the Illinois State Senate’s 35th District remains too close to call, with incumbent Republican Dave Syverson holding a slim advantage over Democratic challenger Sarah Mertens. Unofficial vote totals compiled Wednesday afternoon show Syverson with 43,567 votes compared to Mertens’ 42,050, a margin of just over 1,500 votes.
District Overview
District 35 spans portions of Winnebago, Boone, DeKalb, Kane and McHenry counties, encompassing both urban centers like Rockford and more rural communities. The district’s diverse electorate has made this a highly watched contest, reflecting broader partisan dynamics across northern Illinois.
Current Vote Count and Reporting
The Associated Press, which Rockford News First relies on for statewide race reporting, has processed an estimated 85.1% of the vote in the district. While the AP’s data still shows Mertens slightly ahead, the unofficial totals gathered directly from local election authorities place Syverson in the lead.
Candidate Backgrounds
Dave Syverson has served in the Illinois General Assembly for more than three decades, bringing extensive legislative experience and a record of conservative policy positions. Sarah Mertens, raised in Bolingbrook, is a first‑time candidate seeking to flip the seat for the Democratic Party.
Campaign Themes
Syverson acknowledged the difficulty of the race, noting the district’s gerrymandered boundaries. “We are lucky enough to be where we are at right now. It’s really too close to call,” he told Rockford News First. He expects a final update Wednesday as election officials continue counting mail‑in and provisional ballots.
Mertens has emphasized issues such as education funding, healthcare access, and infrastructure improvements, aiming to resonate with both suburban and rural voters.
Next Steps
The Illinois State Board of Elections cautions that finalizing results will take additional time, especially as counties finish processing absentee and provisional ballots. Both campaigns have urged supporters to remain patient while the count is completed.
Key upcoming dates include the certification of official results by the State Board and the swearing‑in of the elected senator in January. Voters in the 35th District will soon learn whether Syverson retains his seat or Mertens secures a Democratic pickup.
Original reporting: WIFR Rockford News First (local) — read the source article.
