ELMHURST, IL – In early returns, Republican state Rep. Deanne Mazzochi is losing to Democrat Jenn Ladisch Douglass in the House District 45 race. Both are from Elmhurst.

According to unofficial results, Douglass has pulled in 17,338 votes, or 51 percent, while Mazzochi has received 16,456, or 49 percent. If this election is like 2018, thousands more votes are expected to be tabulated, meaning the outcome could change.

The district includes most of Elmhurst, Hinsdale and Clarendon Hills.

Combined, the two candidates raised more than $600,000 in the contest. In 2020, Mazzochi and her Democratic opponent, Jennifer Zordani of Clarendon Hills, pulled in a combined $1,036,000.

In recent years, the Elmhurst-based House district has been seen as a battleground. But Mazzochi took 54 percent of the vote in 2020 against Clarendon Hills Democrat Jennifer Zordani, who took hundreds of thousands of dollars from Democratic organizations. And that was considered a good year for Democrats nationwide, especially in suburbs.

Mazzochi has been a critic of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s policies, including on the pandemic and budget. She also called for Elmhurst School District 205 to “clean house,” taking issue with York High’s curriculum.

Douglass has run a commercial against Mazzochi for her pro-life position on abortion.

The two had a chance to debate in September, but the League of Women Voters of Elmhurst said Mazzochi never responded to its invitation.