Primary Election Recap
Government Strategy Associates
The Illinois primary ballot included every statewide office, as well as one U.S. Senate seat, all 17 of Illinois’ representatives in Congress, every state senator and representative in the General Assembly, and a multitude of county and judicial offices. Not all election results are final.
Governor’s Race
Battle of Billionaires spent a record amount of money on the Republican primary. The Illinois governor’s race is on track to become the most expensive campaign for a nonpresidential office in U.S. history. More than $135 million was spent on the race. Billionaire Ken Griffin has spent $50 million to support a moderate Republican for the position, but the party’s base seems to prefer another candidate. JB Pritzker and Dem Governors spent $34 million to tear down Irvin and prop up Darren Bailey – thinking Bailey would be an easier opponent for November. Billionaire Dick Uihlein also filtered about $18 million to Bailey.
As of this morning Darren Bailey won with 58% of the vote to Jesse Sullivan’s 16% and Richard Irvin’s 15%. Businessman Gary Rabine, former state senator Paul Schimpf and attorney Max Solomon split the other 12%.
Other Statewide Offices
For Secretary of State, former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias garnered 53% of the Democratic vote over Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and Chicago Alderman David Moore. On the Republican side popular State Representative Dan Brady of Bloomington captured over 75% of the vote to top of former federal prosecutor John Milhiser. The other contested primary for statewide office was the Republican primary for Attorney General. Tom Devore, the attorney that filed lawsuits challenging state COVID restrictions will be the Republican nominee to face Kwame Raoul. Republican State Representative Tom Demmer will challenge Democratic incumbent Michal Frerichs for Treasurer. Republican Shannon Teresi is challenging Democratic incumbent Susan Mendoza for Comptroller.
Congressional Races
Jonathon Jackson, son of Jesse Jackson won the Democratic primary for the first congressional district. He outlasted a crowded primary against 16 competitors. This is a heavily Democratic district which makes Jackson the likely successor to retiring Congressman Rep. Bobby Rush.
State Representative Delia Ramirez won the Democratic primary in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District. She defeated Chicago Alderman Gil Villegas and two other challengers.
The 6th Congressional District featured two incumbent Democrats in that primary. Congressman Sean Casten defeated Congresswoman Marie Newman. Casten will face Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau who defeated five opponents in the GOP primary.
Longtime incumbent Congressman Danny Davis survived a challenge by gun activists Kina Collins. The 80 year old Davis has 52% of the vote to Collins’ 45% of the 7thDistrict Dem primary vote.
In the hotly contested central Illinois 15th Congressional district, Congresswoman Mary Miller defeated Congressman Rodney Davis. Redistricting pitted two incumbent Republicans against each other and Miller put forth a 15-point edge over Davis. Miller is a MAGA supporter who benefited from an endorsement from former President Trump.
Multitude of State Incumbents Face Defeat During Primary
In the 21st District of the Illinois House, as 32-year-old Abdelnasser Rashid narrowly defeated seven-term incumbent state Rep. Michael Zalewski (D-Riverside). Rashid received significant backing from Pro-Chiuce organizations. Rashid was constantly tying Zalewski to former House Speaker Mike Madigan and the ongoing ComEd scandal. Rashid highlighted that Zalewski’s father is a part of that investigation.
Rep. Kathy Willis of Addison is trailing by a few hundred votes to Norma Hernandez who was backed by Congressman Chuy Garcia. Hernandez is a a Triton College trustee from Melrose Park. Willis had issues with trade unions, partly because she flipped on Speaker Madigan even though she was in leadership, and she voted against a bill pushed hard this year by the Carpenter’s Union. But Hernandez is considerably more liberal than Willis and she ran a Chuy-style campaign – lots of family and friends networking, non-stop door-knocking and making sure progressive Latinos got to
Freshman State Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback of Skokie lost to challenger Kevin Olickal. His campaign was supported by the area’s state senator, Democrat Ram Villivalam, and the Gun Violence Prevention PAC.
In the 98th House District, Republican Travis Weaver defeated State Representative Mark Luft of Pekin who was running for a second House term in the new district. GOP gubernatorial candidate and state Sen. Darren Bailey endorsed Weaver, while House Minority Leader Jim Durkin backed Luft’s candidacy.
Rep. David Welter of Morris, an assistant GOP leader lost to Jed Davis of Newark, a civil engineer. Davis criticized Welter for supporting measures that legalized recreational marijuana and doubled the gas tax to pay for road projects. Davis’ campaign was largely funded through allies of Sen. Darren Bailey.
Joliet Senator Eric Mattson was appointed to the Senate a few months ago. The appointment was not enough to help his candidacy as he lost his primary race against progressive Will County Board member Rachel Ventura.
In the race to replace retiring State Senator Melinda Bush, former State Representative Mary Edly-Allen is leading Rep. Sam Yingling. Edly-Allen has the support of Sen. Bush and received an endorsement from Governor Pritzker.
Most Incumbents were able to hold off challengers.
State Representative Tim Butler (R-Springfield) is up 74-26.
Sen. Rob Martwick (D-Chicago) is up 66-34.
Rep. Sonya Harper (D-Chicago) is up 71-29.
Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago), is up 75-25.
Sen. Omar Aquino (D-Chicago) is up 74-13.
Appointed Rep. Michael Kelly (D-Chicago) is up 53-47.
Representative Curtis Tarver of Hyde Park is up 77-23.
Rep. Justin Slaughter (D-Chicago) is up 79-21.
Rep. Patrick Windhorst (R-Metropolis) is up 72-28.
Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) is up 68-32.
Senator Celina Villanueva (D-Chicago) is up 69-31.
Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cheery Valley) is up 75-25.
For up to date election results you can visit here.