Will County Gazette

State House District 97 Republican candidate Michelle Smith has conceded to Democrat Harry Benton. 

“Congratulations to Harry Benton on his win last night. I would like to thank my family and supporters who helped fuel this campaign," Smith said on Facebook. "While we fell short last night, there is still a place for fiscal responsibility and accountability in our state government and I encourage those who seek common-ground to achieve it.” 

At last count, Smith finished with 49% of the vote with 16,600 votes to Benton’s 51% with 17,291 votes, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"Michelle will limit government spending and make Illinois a tax-friendly state for families and small business owners to thrive," her campaign website reads.

Smith also is an advocate for safer communities and is "a firm believer in supporting our law enforcement professionals. She opposes reckless efforts to defund the police and rejects policies allowing dangerous criminals back on the street." She also wants children to "receive a high-quality education without having politics enter the classroom."   

Earlier in the campaign season Smith called for relief at the pump for Illinois families paying high gas taxes amid soaring oil prices. Illinois residents pay a total of approximately 80 cents per gallon in taxes, both federal and state. Missouri has the second-lowest gas taxes across the border to the west. Due to different tax structures, Illinois charges 42 cents more per gallon of gasoline than Missouri. Smith told Will County Gazette that "Inflation is hitting families hard nationwide, but even harder in states which have been poorly managed, like Illinois. Out-of-touch politicians like J.B. Pritzker cannot resist efforts to raise taxes on Illinois families, fueling their tax-and-spend mentality. The families of Illinois deserve better.” 

Smith, a Plainfield resident, ran for Illinois' 49th State Senate seat in the 2016 election cycle. In that race, she pledged to reject a state pension, according to ABC7 News. She formerly presided over the District 202 Board of Education while running a small business. She served the Board of Education since 2009.