1988 Illinois's 21st congressional district special election

1988 Illinois's 21st congressional district special election

← 1986 August 9, 1988 1988 →

Nominee Jerry Costello Robert Gaffner Party Democratic Republican Popular vote 33,144 31,257 Percentage 51.46% 48.53%

County results Costello:     50–60% Gaffner:     50–60%     60–70%

Representative before election Melvin Price Democratic Elected Representative Jerry Costello Democratic

A special election to the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 21st congressional district was held August 9, 1988.

The winning candidate would serve briefly in the United States House of Representatives to represent Illinois in the 100th Congress until the General election on November 8, 1988.

Background

On April 22, 1988, Incumbent U.S. Representative Melvin Price died of cancer after 22 terms. ^[1] A special election was held to fill the vacancy caused by his death.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jerry Costello, St. Clair County Board chairman

Eliminated in Primary

• Pete Fields, former Madison County Auditor and candidate for this seat in 1986
• Mike Mansfield, political activist
• Steve Maragides, political activist

Results

Democratic primary results ^[2]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Jeremy Costello	35,279	46.23%
	Democratic	Pete Fields	20,500	26.87%
	Democratic	Mike Mansfield	19,223	25.19%
	Democratic	Steve Maragides	1,305	1.71%
Total votes			76,307	100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Robert Gaffner, nominee for this seat in 1982, 1984, and 1986 and candidate for Illinois's 24th congressional district in 1972

Results

Republican primary results ^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Robert Gaffner	16,334	100.00%
Total votes			16,334	100.00%

General election

1988 Illinois's 21st congressional district special election ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jerry Costello	33,144	51.46%	+1.10%
	Republican	Robert Gaffner	31,257	48.53%	+1.11%
	Independent	Write-In	1	0.00%	0.00%
Majority			1,887	2.93%	+2.21%
Turnout			64,402	100.00%
	Democratic hold

See also

• 1988 United States House of Representatives elections

References

1. Jesus Rangel (April 23, 1988). "Representative Melvin Price, 83, Is Dead of Cancer After 22 Terms". New York Times.
2. "IL District 21-D Primary" . Retrieved June 18, 2021.
3. "IL District 21-R Primary" . Retrieved June 18, 2021.
4. "IL District 21 - Special Election". Our Campaigns. Retrieved June 18, 2021.