Illinois voters are preparing for primary elections that will shape the state’s representation in the Senate, the Governor’s office, and the House of Representatives. Key races are unfolding in both parties, with significant implications for the general election this fall.
Gubernatorial Races
Governor J.B. Pritzker is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Following Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton’s announcement of a Senate run, Christian Mitchell, a former state representative and Pritzker’s former deputy governor, has entered the race as Pritzker’s running mate.
On the Republican side, Darren Bailey, the 2022 G.O.P. Nominee for governor, currently holds a polling advantage. His running mate is Aaron Del Mar, chair of the Cook County Republican Party and a local highway commissioner. Other Republican candidates include Rick Heidner, a real-estate developer, and Ted Dabrowski, former president of Wirepoints, a conservative research organization.
U.S. Senate Primary
The Democratic primary for U.S. Senate has become competitive after Dick Durbin announced his retirement. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi are considered the front-runners. Stratton, the first African American woman to serve as lieutenant governor in Illinois, is campaigning on a progressive platform that includes Medicare for All and a $25 minimum wage. She has received endorsements from Pritzker, Elizabeth Warren, and Tammy Baldwin.
Krishnamoorthi, a member of the Fresh Democrat Coalition, has presented a strong challenge to Stratton. While Stratton has the support of the Illinois Democratic establishment, Krishnamoorthi has secured a fundraising advantage. He has faced criticism from progressives regarding contributions from Trump allies and figures in the tech industry, and Fairshake, a cryptocurrency super PAC, has spent over five million dollars on ads opposing Stratton’s campaign.
Congresswoman Robin Kelly has been endorsed by New Jersey Senator Cory Booker and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. Durbin has not endorsed any candidate in the race.
In the Republican primary, Don Tracy, former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, is competing against Jeannie Evans, an antitrust enforcement attorney, and Casey Chlebek, former president of the Polish American Congress. Tracy has endorsements from former Illinois Senator Mark Kirk and all three Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation.
U.S. House Primaries
Primary contests are as well taking place for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, though details of those races were not specified.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the status of the Democratic gubernatorial primary?
Governor J.B. Pritzker is running unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Who are the leading candidates in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary?
Juliana Stratton, the current lieutenant governor, and Raja Krishnamoorthi, a congressman representing Illinois’s eighth district, are the front-runners.
Who has endorsed Don Tracy in the Republican U.S. Senate primary?
Don Tracy has been endorsed by former Illinois Senator Mark Kirk and all three Republican members of the Illinois congressional delegation.
As Illinois voters head to the polls, the outcomes of these primary elections will significantly influence the political landscape and set the stage for the general election.
