RACES SET FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION AFTER SURPRISING PRIMARY
Statewide Races
Conservative Republican candidates on the statewide ballot won stunning victories in the June 28th Illinois primary election, shaking up state Republican Party leaders’ plans. State Senator Darren Bailey from southern Illinois handily defeated Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin, the party’s endorsed candidate. Bailey received nearly 58% of the Republican vote, with six candidates running; Jesse Sullivan finished second with 16% of the vote, while Irvin placed a distant third with 15%.
Irvin benefitted from over $50 million in contributions from the state’s richest citizen, Chicago businessman Ken Griffin. Bailey was recently endorsed by former President Donald Trump. He will run against Democrat Governor JB Pritzker in the General Election.
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In the Republican race for Attorney General, downstate attorney Tom DeVore beat suburban Chicago attorney Steve Kim 45% to 35%. Kim was the choice of the state Republican Party. DeVore will face off against Attorney General Kwame Raoul in November.
The election results have sent shock waves through the state and have left many wondering who the real leaders are in the Republican Party in Illinois. State Democrat Party leaders seem comfortable with the results, stating that Bailey and DeVore are too conservative for the state and that they will suffer the consequences in the general election.
For the office of Secretary of State, both parties had primary fights. Former State Treasurer Democrat Alexi Giannoulias defeated Chicago City Clerk Anna Valencia and two other candidates, garnering 52% of the vote. He will take on Republican State Representative Dan Brady (Bloomington), who beat former U.S. Attorney John Milhiser of Springfield 76% to 24%.
Congressional Races
In the 15th congressional district race, two incumbent Republicans squared off. Rep. Rodney Davis (central Illinois) from Taylorville was defeated 58% to 42% by Rep. Mary Miller from Oakland. Davis was considered the favorite in the race, but Miller, endorsed by former President Trump, pulled off the upset.
Two Democrat incumbents fought for the right to represent the 6th congressional district in Chicago’s western suburbs. Sean Casten was the winner with 70% of the vote, as Marie Newman garnered 30%.
There will be new faces joining the Illinois congressional delegation, as there were three open districts with no incumbents running. In the 3rd district in western Chicago and DuPage County, Delia Ramirez won in a crowded field of Democrat candidates. In the northwestern part of the state, Democrat Eric Sorenson will take on Republican Esther Joy King. And, in central Illinois, Democrat Nikki Budzinski will faceoff with Republican Regan Deering.
State Legislative Races
Both parties lost incumbents as a result of the primary. Democrat State Representative Mike Zalewski of Riverside was defeated by fellow Democrat Abdelnasser Rashid. Incumbent House Democrat colleagues Denyse Wang Stoneback of Skokie and Kathy Willis of Addison lost to Kevin Olickal and Norma Hernandez, respectively. In the state Senate, former Democrat State Representative Mary Edley-Allen defeated State Representative Sam Yingling in Lake County.
On the Republican side, two incumbents were defeated in the Peoria area. Jed Davis beat incumbent State Representative David Welter, and Representative Mark Luft was defeated by Travis Weaver.
General Election
Now that the parties have nominated their candidates, all will “meet up” in the General Election on November 8th.
