Illinois Sen. Darin LaHood and Robert Mellon won the Republican and Democratic primaries, respectively Tuesday, and advanced to the Sept. 10 special election for the 18^th Congressional District.

The two are fighting for the right to replace former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock, who resigned his post earlier this year amidst questions about use of campaign and taxpayer funds.

The National Association of REALTORS® is supporting LaHood, who represents Illinois’ 37^th Senate District and serves on the Senate committees on Criminal Law, Executive Appointments, Judiciary, Licensed Activities, Pensions and Revenue.

LaHood, a former federal prosecutor, collected 31,319 votes to defeat Michael Flynn of Quincy (12,559) and Donald Rients of Benson (1,231) for the Republican nomination in the 19-county district, according to the Springfield State Journal-Register. Mellon, a high school teacher, defeated Springfield School Board member Adam Lopez 4,538 to 3,054 to get the Democratic nomination.