Congratulations Matt Reichel!

The Illinois Green Party congratulates Matt Reichel, who earned 34% of the vote to win yesterday's Special Primary in the 5th Congressional District.

Runners up include Deb Gordils (32%), Mark Fredrickson (14%), Alan Auguston (13%) and Simon Ribeiro (1%).

The outcome of the primary had been uncertain until this afternoon, when the Chicago Board of Election completed its unofficial count of seven precincts where data cartridges failures had prevented counting on primary day.

Reichel will now compete in the April 7 Special Election against Cook County Commissioner Mike Quigley (D) and founder of the Illinois Minuteman Project Rosa Pulido (R). The winner of the April 7 contest will replace Rahm Emanuel, who recently resigned the seat to join the Obama Administration.

"I'm delighted to be the choice of the Green voters in Chicago," said Reichel, "and I look forward to working with the greater progressive community to take on the Chicago Machine in the next five weeks."

"The people of the 5th district want real reform, someone who is going to stand up when it counts to hold the Obama Administration and the Democratic-controlled Congress accountable by saying no to war, no to corporate bailouts."

The primary itself was a step forward for the Green Party: excluding the 2008 presidential contest, this was the first contested Green Party primary in state history. In contrast to the Democratic race, Green Party candidates remained cordial, refrained from mudslinging, and even shared a victory party on primary night.

"The Democrats would like voters to believe that this process is now over," Walter Esler of the North Side Green Party said. "We are 100% behind Matt Reichel, and we're going to push for a large turnout on April 7.