One vote separates Miller Walsh, Edly-Allen in 51st Illinois House

Mary Edly-Allen, left, and Helene Miller Walsh, right, are candidates for the 51st Illinois House.

Republican state Rep. Helene Miller Walsh and Democrat Mary Edly-Allen ended in a dead heat in Tuesday's election.

Miller Walsh, a Mundelein-area resident, was ahead of Edly-Allen, of Libertyville, by one vote -- 25,106 to 25,105.

Miller Walsh was running strongly ahead until late Tuesday, when Lake County counted early and mail ballots, which favored Edly-Allen.

At stake is a seat representing House District 51, which includes all or portions of the Barrington area, Lake Zurich, Long Grove, Libertyville and Mundelein. Miller Walsh was appointed in August.

Edly-Allen and Miller Walsh disagreed on several issues. For example, Miller Walsh, who is married to former U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh, said she favored allowing well-trained teachers to be armed in classrooms to protect students, while Edly-Allen was against it.