Gasca Poised To Face Hastings In 19th District: Unofficial Results

ILLINOIS — With all precincts in Will and Cook counties reporting, it's projected to be New Lenox resident Samantha Jean Gasca to secure the Republican nomination in the 19th Senate District primary. Gasca will next seek to unseat incumbent Sen. Michael Hastings in November.

On the ballot seeking the Republican nod were Gasca, Hillary Mattsey Kurzawa of Frankfort, and Hazel Crest attorney Max Solomon.

Hastings has been senator since 2013, last winning re-election in 2022 over Republican challenger Patrick Sheehan. No one challenged Hastings for the Democratic nod.

With all precincts reporting as of 10:38 p.m, here are where vote totals stand:

• Hillary Mattsey Kurzawa: 3,291 votes
  • Cook: 637 votes (all precincts in as of 9:28 p.m.)
  • Will: 2,654 (all precincts in as of 10:38 p.m.)
• Samantha Jean Gasca: 3,611 votes
  • Cook: 730
  • Will: 2,881
• Max Solomon: 2,858 votes
  • Cook: 707
  • Will: 2,151

Gasca, 36, says she became a conservative at age 18. She works at Moody radio as a Data Specialist, and is a pastoral counselor helping people in domestic violence situations, trauma, etc., according to her website. She is also a life coach and motivational speaker. It is Gasca's first pursuit of a state office, following a run for New Lenox School Board District 122.

Gasca expressed humility in a statement about her projected win.

"I truly did not know if my methods were effective," Gasca said in a statement on social media. "I was running a campaign after only ever running in one local elementary school board race, putting my 14 years in college to the test.

"However I fully committed to being myself, and loving on/informing people as best as I could. I refuse to represent my self as perfect. I do wrong as everyone does, however I hope to be accountable for those wrongs to you. This is why I am completely open and authentic about my story and the person I used to be and the person I am today. There is not a single topic or discussion that I am not open to sharing/discussing with individuals. Thank you for seeing that in me, voters of the 19th Senate District. Thank you for seeing me as an overcomer and a fighter. I commit to fighting for you every single day; you have shown me much grace."

During her campaign, Gasca spoke of her desire to do right by local children as motivation to seek public office.

"I felt the call to do so because of our children," Gasca wrote, of her motivation to run. Gasca is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she wrote, and "thus I became a child advocate and a defender of children's rights.

"We have to protect the innocent from this pressed manipulation that is exposing young minds to sexual ideologies at such a young age. ... especially coming from people we should be able to trust. We have to make an impact now for future generations," Gasca's website reads.

Gasca would seek to lower taxes and eliminate needless or reckless spending of tax revenue. She would also seek to revamp education curriculum.

"It's time our students graduate at the reading level respective to their grade, and are much more prepared for college and the workforce. I also will support trade schools," her website reads.

The 19th district includes all, or parts, of the communities of Arbury Hills, Country Club Hills, Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Hazel Crest, Homer Glen, Homewood, Joliet, Lockport, Matteson, Mokena, New Lenox, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Richton Park, Tinley Park and University Park.

Gasca spoke of the next contest ahead of her.

"I'm beyond honored to represent our 19th Senate District and look forward to taking on the Democratic incumbent, Senator Michael Hastings, in November," Gasca wrote. "He narrowly won to former State Senate candidate Patrick Sheehan two years ago; if we band together, we can most definitely do this. It is 100% absolutely doable.

"... Across America, voters have clarified that they do not want career politicians or nepotism to represent them anymore. They don’t want elected officials who only work for themselves and not the constituents. We have seen much of this in the 19th Senate District. I pray I can be much more dedicated to the causes of the people, and to rise up when necessary, as does a decent leader..."