Melissa Bean down 553 votes

Melissa Bean down 553 votes

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Updated at 6:15 PM on 11/3/10

Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean is not conceding she’s lost the race in Illinois’ 8th congressional district, but with all precincts now reporting results, Republican challenger Joe Walsh is ahead by 553 votes of more than 200,000 cast.

Going into Tuesday’s election, few thought Bean would be unseated from her Northwest suburban district. Republican Joe Walsh is part of the Tea Party movement.

A spokesman for Bean’s campaign said Wednesday afternoon the election is still “too close to call.” Bean, from Barrington, is holding out hope that provisional and absentee ballots may allow her to keep the seat.