By: Ashmar Mandou
Governor JB Pritzker will once again face off with his 2022 Republican challenger Darren Bailey, as Bailey earned 53 percent of the votes. Pritzker is now running with Christian Mitchell after Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton launched her campaign for Dick Durbin’s U.S. Senate seat. Pritzker ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and is seeking a third term as the governor of Illinois. “Right now, grifters of corruption and selfishness, purveyors of bigotry and hatred, have taken control of the White House and Congress,” Pritzker said. Bailey, a former Illinois state representative and state senator, joined with Cook County Republican Party Chairman Aaron Del Mar as his running mate this year. Bailey has criticized Pritzker’s leadership, including blaming him for rising costs, and saying he’s “just another billionaire who has never once felt the pain he’s inflicted.”
For the Democratic ticket, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won by 40 percent, according to AP and CNN. She defeated Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who led in campaign finance leading up to the race. Stratton, was backed by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, states she will bring a more progressive agenda to Capitol Hill: She said she would not support Sen. Chuck Schumer as Democratic leader and has called for abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. “Every day from now until November, I will continue to demonstrate that I am ready to fight for the people of Illinois and take back our democracy.” Stratton will face the winner of the Republican race, Don Tracy, who won his party’s race by 39.8%, according to AP and CNN. Tracy is the former chair of the Illinois Republican Party in the heavily-Democrat state. “It’s an honor to be your next Republican nominee for U.S. Senate. It’s time to make Illinois a two-party state again. Thank you to all who volunteered their time or donated to this race. There are many great stories in politics about the underdog coming out on top, and this is going to be one of them,” said Tracy to his crowd of supporters.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle wins her Democratic nomination against Alderman Brendan Reilly. Preckwinkle will go on to serve her fifth term, as no Republican candidate ran in the race. “We’re going to continue doing the good things that we’ve done with American rescue plan act resources, like eliminating medical debt, and we’re going to do the best to defend ourselves against the assaults of the federal government,” Preckwinkle said. Preckwinkle claimed nearly 68 percent of the vote.
Democrat Patty García earned enough votes to secure her party’s nomination for the Illinois’ 4th Congressional District. After a controversial decision by García’s former boss, incumbent Representative Jesús “Chuy” García, no relation, not to seek re-election. García is a Chicago native who served as Rep. García’s chief of staff since 2023. García shared a statement on her win.
Cook County Assessor Fritz Kaegi conceded defeat to Pat Hynes Tuesday evening, with Hynes leading with 52.5 percent of the votes to Kaegi’s 47.5 percent in the Democratic primary contest. “The work ahead is about fairness and justice for those who have been harmed over the last eight years,” Hynes said to his crowd of supporters. “It is about ensuring assessments are accurate, transparent and equitable in every neighborhood.” Hynes will face Libertarian candidate Nico Tsatsoulis in the November 3rd general election.
State Representative La Shawn Ford wins the Democratic nominee race in the 7th District, to replace Representative Danny Davis, who announced his retirement last year. Ford has been a member of the Illinois House of Representatives working on behalf of middle class families. Ford intends to defend and expand the Affordable Care Act and promises to bring trade schools back to the 7th District if elected in November. Ford was joined on the ballot by Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and Anthony Driver Jr., executive director of SEIU State Council. The 7th Congressional District includes Chicago’s west side, and parts of Bellwood, Forest Park, Oak Park, Maywood, and Westchester. Chad Koppie, Republican nominee, secured his spot in the general election where he will face off with Ford. Koppie received 66 percent of the votes. The general election is November 3rd. 
