McSweeney Elected to 52nd House District

Republican candidate David McSweeney won the 52nd House District race Tuesday night over independent candidate Dee Beabien.

McSweeney, a financial consultant from Barrington Hills, had 23,563 votes — 7,792 more votes than Beaubien, also of Barrington Hills, who is the widow of  

Creating a stronger economy and repealing a tax increase passed in the state last year is top on McSweeney’s to-do list now that he has been elected to office.

“I am honored to serve the people of Illinois. I am laser-focused on policies that create jobs and improve the state of the economy,” McSweeney said.

He also said he is focused on cutting spending in Springfield and reforming pensions.

Beaubien has said she hoped to take her husband's place in the 52nd House District. She said she was disappointed with the outcome of the election.

“I am concerned for the people of the 52nd house district. The people — that is what this has been about (for me) from the start,” Beaubien said.

She said she hopes McSweeney realizes that it’s not just “about politics” and also focuses on the people of the district.

McSweeney of Barrington Hills is a financial consultant who has served as a Palatine Township trustee, Palatine Township collector and on the village of Inverness Plan Commission. He received an endorsement over Beaubien by The Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald.

The 52nd House District race was the most expensive house district race in Illinois this past election, according to the Daily Herald. Beaubien and McSweeney collectively raised $1.5 million since July.

During the race, McSweeney took aim at a huge source of Beaubien's funding: House Speaker Mike Madigan, D-Chicago. He told the Daily Herald, "she’s pretending like she is an independent, but she’s running with the full support of Madigan."

The 52nd House District covers a portion of Algonquin, Crystal Lake, Lake in the Hills, Barrington, Cary, Fox River Grove, Wauconda and Island Lake and is in portions of McHenry, Lake, Cook and Kane counties

• Read more about McSweeney in his Election 2012 Patch Q&A