This is the 1978 race. The latest: 2020 →

1978Final results

1978 election for Illinois's 18th District

U.S. House · Illinois

Robert Michel (R) won with 65.9% of the vote, defeating Virgil R. Grunkmeyer (D) by 31.8 points.

Robert MichelRepublican · winner
65.9%85,973
34.1%44,527
130,514 votes

Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET

The seat over time

D − R margin in this seat's races around 1978

Races before and after

EvenR+24.31980R+3.21982R+22.11984R+25.21986R+9.41988R+15.51992

Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET