Republican candidate Ann Wagner of Ballwin became Missouri's Congressional District 2 post Tuesday evening, declaring victory just after 10 p.m. at the Hilton Frontenac.
Wagner defeated opponents Glenn Koenen (D-Oakville), Bill Slantz (Libertarian-St. Charles) and Anatol Zorikova (Constitution Party-St. Charles) for the seat held by GOP Senate candidate Todd Akin.
As of 11:40 p.m., unofficial results on the Missouri Secretary of State website report Wagner had a 60.1 percent lead over Koenen's 37.1 percent with 75 percent of precincts reporting.
More than a hundred of Wagner's supporters, family and friends made their way to the Ambassadeur Ballroom at the Hilton-Frontenac, trickling in as polls closed at 7 p.m. Tuesday and staying strong, waiting through elections results aired on Fox News and enjoying finger foods and drinks.
Koenen's campaign also hosted a watch party at the Corner Pub & Grill in Ellisville.
Catherine Hanaway, Wagner's campaign chairwoman, addressed the crowd at around 9 p.m., saying Wagner was waiting to come downstairs until "more reliable numbers" were reported.
Wagner came down early, making her way through the room, until taking the platform just after 10 p.m. Her two sons, daughter, husband and mother surrounded her with extended family and campaign staff during the victory address.
"I've been told District 2 needs some tough love," Wagner said. "Our country needs some tough love and I am ready to deliver."
Wagner continued to thank supporters after an 18-month campaign, pledging to "never, ever be of Washington, D.C." during her congressional term.
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