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Illinois Rep. Evans bests Baker in closely watched contest
(AllPolitics, November 3) -- Illinois Democratic Rep. Lane Evans held off a strong challenge by Mark Baker to retain his 17th congressional district seat in the northwestern part of the state.
The district, a mix of blue-collar unionized towns and conservative rural regions along the Mississippi River, has been consistently Democratic, sending Evans back to Washington for 16 years. But Republicans had made a strong push for the seat, and the race drew national attention.
Baker is a former television journalist who ran against Evans two years ago, drawing 47 percent.
Though his voting record is generally liberal, Evans broke ranks by voting for the open-ended impeachment inquiry into President Bill Clinton. He has been the ranking member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee and received high marks from most environmental groups and unions.
During the campaign both parties sent in their big guns to help their candidates. Among those who campaigned for Evans were Vice President Al Gore, Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-Rhode Island) and Jesse Jackson.
Meanwhile, Baker drew campaign visits from both members of the GOP's 1996 Republican presidential ticket, Bob Dole and Jack Kemp.
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