Stephanie Kifowit, who for the last nine years has served as Aurora’s 3rd Ward alderman, secured the nomination in the 84th State House District Tuesday night.

Unofficial totals show Kifowit with a more than 700-vote lead over her two opponents, attorney Carole Cheney and flight attendant Alex Arroyo. Cheney and Arroyo ended the race essentially tied, with only 10 votes separating them.

Kifowit held a victory party at O’Malley’s Bar and Grill in Aurora. Surrounded by supporters, she credited the hard work of her campaign. 

“Walking door to door and talking to voters is the way to do it,” she said.

Kifowit was heavily supported by state Democrats, a fact that drew criticism from her opponents. But she said it was the ground-level effort of her campaign that won the day for her, and she pointed to her voting record in Aurora as indication that she would not be a party-line state representative.

Kifowit will face Aurora Republican Pat Fee in November, and she said her strategy will remain the same: walking the district and meeting voters face to face.

Neither Arroyo nor Cheney could be reached for comment.

The newly-drawn 84th State House District covers half of Montgomery, all of Boulder Hill, the far east side of Aurora and portions of Oswego and Naperville. There is no incumbent.