Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis has defeated former judge Ann Callis to hold on to his seat representing Illinois' 13th Congressional District.

Davis is a first-term congressman from Taylorville. Callis is a Democrat from Edwardsville and former Madison County chief judge.

The race was seen early on as one of the most competitive in the nation, but there were signs as Election Day approached that Davis was pulling away.

He is a former projects director and campaign manager for U.S. Rep. John Shimkus. Callis worked to portray him as a Washington insider who's part of the dysfunction in Congress.

Davis has called for fewer government regulations and boosting domestic oil production.

The district stretches from Champaign to the St. Louis suburbs.