Taking a break Tuesday night from the festivities at Salerno’s Pizza & Sports Bar in Hodgkins, Niki Conforti is focused on her next campaign.
According to unofficial totals, Conforti received 82 percent of the votes to 18 percent for Skylar Duensing in the Republican primary for the 6th District in Congress.
In November, she will run against Democratic incumbent Sean Casten, who won his primary Tuesday night. It’s a rematch of 2024, won by Casten.
“We’re taking it over the finish line this time. No doubt. We’re going all the way, bringing home a win,” an elated Conforti said around 8:30 p.m.
Casten, 54, is a formidable opponent who has won four straight terms in Congress.
“It’s not going to be easy,” Conforti said..
“We lost by seven points last time. We almost beat him. We identified the gaps in the campaign. I’ve already raised more money this cycle than I did all last cycle. We’re getting our message out there better.”
Helping get that message out was Christine McGovern, who campaigned for Conforti and was unopposed winning the Republican nomination for State Senate District 18.
“This makes my heart so happy right now, I could cry,” McGovern said. “She’s a very smart lady and a genuine person.”
She added that Conforti “has a vision that’s going to put American citizens first. She has a vision that’s going to protect our children in schools with their educational needs. She has a vision to improve our medical situation.
Tinley Park resident Rob Willett, 55, arrived around 8:45 p.m. and hugged Conforti.
“Niki tells it like it is. She’s the real deal. … She stands up for America and loves America. That’s why I’m standing behind her,” he said.
Conforti, 62, lives in Glen Ellyn, is a single mom with an adult daughter.
She graduated in 2012 with her MBA in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University in Washington D.C.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Chicago in 1987.
The keys to victory, she said, were “starting early, focusing on the win, working hard, not getting caught up in the fray, focusing on the goal.”
The expansive 6th District stretches from Elmhurst to the north, Lisle to the west, Chicago’s 19th Ward to the east and Tinley Park to the south.
Hickory Hills, Chicago Ridge, Hodgkins, Bridgeview, Orland Park, Orland Hills and Evergreen Park are among the communities in the district.
“I had to buy a couple of new pairs of shoes. We were out walking,” she said with a smile. “We just walked the South Side Irish Parade. Lots of fun. I’ll walk more in the summer.”
Her website said Casten’s “support for taxpayer funded and late term abortions is despicable,” adding she will “proudly stand for life.” She is Pro Life except in the cases of rape, incest or life of the mother.
“I’m a businesswoman with experience in the energy field and health care. A lot of great things have happened in the last 12 to 15 months with this administration but there is still so much work to be done,” she said.
“When I get to Congress, I want to use my experience in energy and health care to build legislation that will benefit the people of the district and put money back into people’s pockets,” she said.
She supports President Donald Trump’s SAVE Act that she says will end voting fraud.
“Anybody that’s against it, and there are Republicans who are, anybody against the SAVE Act is supporting cheating,” she said.
She supports the efforts of ICE to deport illegal aliens.
However, she strongly opposes Trump’s decision to be at war with Iran.
“I don’t support any foreign wars. I am for peace. I don’t want to send our brave young boys and girls over there. I’m against that and I will vote against that,” she said.
Mike Zito, 30, of Darien, said he likes her “common sense.”
“She’s going to fix Washington,” Zito said.
Having lost two years ago to Casten will provide Conforti “with a better strategy,” Zito said.
Countryside residents Kathy and Steve Buhe were at the party because they don’t feel well represented by Casten.
“Niki has a lot of similar ideas as us. She’s for controlling immigration in a sensible way and increasing education, getting our standards up in the classrooms,” Steve, 70, said.
Kathy added “people always say Washington is broken. Why do we keep sending the same people back?
“If it’s not working, give someone else a chance. If they don’t work out, give the next person a chance,” Kathy, 67, said, adding “incumbents are not entitled.”
Conforti said she feels “honored and humbled with the support I’ve gotten across the district.”