MASCOUTAH, Ill. (AP) — The Republican congressman-elect in a southern Illinois seat that has been in Democratic control since World War II is saying thanks to voters who helped him topple a one-term incumbent.

The Belleville News-Democrat (http://bit.ly/13HT40N) reports that Illinois state Rep. Mike Bost spent part of the morning after Tuesday’s victory in the 12th Congressional District holding a “Thank You” sign outside Scott Air Force Base near Mascoutah.

Bost joined us on The Morning Newswatch with Tom Miller on Wednesday.

Bost is a former Marine from Murphysboro who defeated U.S. Rep. Bill Enyart in the district that has been in Democratic hands, of only three men, for roughly 70 years. Enyart conceded defeat Tuesday night. Bost had 53 percent of the vote, Enyart had 42 percent while Green Party Candidate Paula Bradshaw pulled in six percent.

In Illinois’ 15th Congressional District, Republican Incumbent John Shimkus received 75 percent of the vote. Democrat Eric Thorsland received 25 percent. For U.S. Senate, incumbent Democrat Dick Durbin won reelection with 53 percent of the vote. Republican Jim Oberweis recieved 43 percent while Libertarian Sharon Hansen received four percent.

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