SPRINGFIELD - U.S. Rep. Tim Johnson headed toward a fifth term in Congress Tuesday after handily beating political newcomer Steve Cox.

The Urbana Republican held a 65 percent to 35 percent advantage with about three-quarters of the precincts reporting across the expansive 15th Congressional District.

Johnson, 62, is in his fourth term in the House after having been elected to represent the district in 2000 following the retirement of Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Ewing.

"I have been in this position before, but it is always gratifying and humbling to have the people you represent say they want you back," Johnson said in a prepared statement.

Johnson, a former state lawmaker, lists his service to constituents as the biggest achievement in his tenure.

He also says his efforts to improve federal farm policies and his push to win federal dollars for universities in the region also has been an accomplishment.

Cox, an Urbana Democrat, has lived in the district for just five years and spent little money in his upstart campaign. The 63-year-old retiree acknowledged early in the race he had little chance of winning.

On Tuesday, he acknowledged it would likely be his first and last bid for public office.

"I promised my wife I wouldn't do it again," Cox said.

The district covers all or parts of 22 counties stretching from Bloomington-Normal to the Ohio River in the southern reaches of the state.