Rezin Leads Marcelain in 38th District Senate Race
Sue Rezin held a more than 2,900-vote lead over Democrat Ernie R. Marcelain as nearly all precincts reported on election night.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Republican Sue Rezin led Democrat Ernie R. Marcelain in Illinois' 38th State Senate District vote count, with 16,224 votes to 13,265 as of 10 p.m. on election night. All precincts in Grundy and Will counties had reported, and 86% of Kendall County precincts were in.
Why it matters
The count is a snapshot of an unfinished tally, but the district spans five counties and the margin is large enough to suggest a clear leader if it holds. The outcome determines who represents Bureau, Putnam, LaSalle, Grundy and Kendall counties in the Illinois Senate.
As of 10 p.m., Rezin had 16,224 votes to Marcelain's 13,265, a lead of more than 2,900 with all Grundy and Will precincts and 86% of Kendall County precincts reported. Final certified totals for the remaining precincts had not yet been released.
The players
Sue Rezin
Rezin is a Republican state senator from Morris, first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2010, who led the vote count in the 38th District.
Ernie R. Marcelain
Marcelain is a Montgomery Fire Department firefighter and EMT who ran as a Democrat on a pro-union, pro-small-business platform in the 38th District.
The details
Marcelain, a firefighter and EMT for the Montgomery Fire Department, ran on a pro-union, pro-small-business platform focused on healthcare reform and the cost of living. Rezin, who was first elected to the Illinois Senate in 2010, is seeking to hold the seat.
Timeline
2010: Sue Rezin is first elected to the Illinois Senate.
November 3, 2026: Election-night vote count shows Rezin leading in the 38th District.
Political Context
The 38th District covers Bureau, Putnam, LaSalle, Grundy and Kendall counties, and Rezin's seat has been held since her first election in 2010. Marcelain's campaign centered on healthcare reform and cost of living, the issues he raised against an incumbent with more than a decade in office.
The outcome determines who represents five counties in the Illinois Senate, affecting state legislation on taxes, healthcare and local funding. Residents in the district will see the result of this race reflected in the policies that the next senator votes on.
The takeaway
Election-night tallies can shift as remaining precincts report, so the margin should be read as a provisional result until final counts are certified. Voters following close state races should check official county results as they are finalized.
Further reading
For more on how the state's races are decided, see Elections coverage across Illinois.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Shaw Local.
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