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Hinsdale’s Biggert has no regrets after congressional loss
Updated: November 16, 2012 11:18AM
HINSDALE — Judy Biggert has no regrets.
The longtime representative of the 13th congressional district, Biggert knew she was facing an uphill battle when redistricting in 2011 left her running against Democrat Bill Foster in the 11th District.
Because of those circumstances, many speculated that Biggert, 75, would choose to not seek reelection. But the Hinsdale resident took another path.
“I’m a stubborn Swede; I didn’t want to be forced out,” she said. “And many people said I was the only one who even had a chance to win.
“I really felt bad about it when they cut the district into six pieces. To have the 11th and 8th districts drawn for Democrats, I didn’t think that was right.”
Biggert was soundly defeated Nov. 6 by Foster, who claimed nearly 60 percent of the vote. But she has no regrets or sour feelings about making the decision to seek reelection, even after the redistricting prevented her from voting for herself because Hinsdale is not part of the 11th District.
“I had a great ride,” she said. “It was very upsetting to drive around Hinsdale and not see any of my yard signs, but I’ve had a wonderful role in the 13th District. I worked with so many great people, and I’ve always looked at it that serving others is a privilege.”
Biggert said she was surprised that her race wasn’t closer at the end.
“The polls showed it very close, but DuPage is not as Republican as it has been,” she said.
In the presidential election, Biggert said two major factors prevented Mitt Romney from defeating Barack Obama.
“Gov. Romney was really on a roll, but a lot of the momentum went away with Hurricane Sandy,” she said. “Everything really stopped. We didn’t get our message out well enough, either.”
With the election now over, Biggert said she is “packing up” and helping her staff members to find other jobs.
She and her husband, Rody, have four children and nine grandchildren, none of whom live in the area. But she plans to remain.
“We’ll do some visiting, but I love Hinsdale,” she said. “I plan to stay in the area. I’ve been involved with public service for so many years; I’ll probably go back to some type of service again.”
