{"id":8209,"date":"2022-06-27T07:32:22","date_gmt":"2022-06-27T12:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ibio.org\/?p=8209"},"modified":"2022-06-27T07:32:22","modified_gmt":"2022-06-27T12:32:22","slug":"2022-illinois-primary-races-to-watch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ibio.org\/2022-illinois-primary-races-to-watch\/","title":{"rendered":"2022 Illinois Primary Races to Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you haven\u2019t noticed from the litany of television ads, we are a few short days away from the 2022 Illinois primary (June 28). So why does this year seem different?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As opposed to other years, Illinois voters will select their party nominees for every statewide office this year. If you remember from last fall, Illinois lawmakers approved new state and congressional maps for Illinois.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Redistricting has consolidated several state and congressional districts, forcing some incumbents to face off with their colleges. At the same time, a few notable officials will not be seeking re-election, opening up new opportunities and seats at both the state and congressional levels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While primary elections are always important, the 2022 Illinois primary election will determine several open and new state and congressional district seats.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So here is what you need to know and the races to watch in Illinois (iBIO does not endorse candidates).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

State-Executive Races<\/span><\/h2>\n

Governor & Lieutenant Governor<\/span><\/h3>\n

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton<\/span><\/a> face a Democratic primary challenge from <\/span>Beverly Miles<\/span><\/a>, a nurse and U.S. Army veteran from Chicago. <\/span>Governor Pritzker has a massive funding and name recognition advantage in this primary race.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Six candidates are running in the Republican primary for governor of Illinois on June 28, 2022. <\/span>Sen. Darren Bailey<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin<\/span><\/a> have led the field in fundraising and media coverage. The other Republican candidates include former state <\/span>Sen. Paul Schimpf<\/span><\/a>, suburban businessman <\/span>Gary Rabine<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Max Solomon<\/span><\/a>, and downstate venture capitalist <\/span>Jesse Sullivan<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Irvin has the backing of Citadel CEO (and Illinois Republican donor) Ken Griffin. But according to a new <\/span>Chicago Sun-Times\/WBEZ poll<\/span><\/a>, Sen. Darren Bailey has a 15-percentage-point lead over Irving. The downstate lawmaker led Irving in both rural and metro-chicago. However, 27% of Republican primary voters responded as \u201cnot sure,\u201d leaving a lot of votes on the table.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Secretary of State<\/span><\/h3>\n

Incumbent Secretary of State Jesse White is retiring, creating the first open election since 1998. With White retiring, the winner of the GOP primary might have a fighting chance in the general election. The office\u2019s history as a springboard to the governor\u2019s mansion and the U.S. Senate makes this a race to watch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Former State Treasurer <\/span>Alexi Giannoulias<\/span><\/a> and Chicago City Clerk <\/span>Anna Valencia<\/span><\/a> are the two <\/span>Democratic<\/b> frontrunners to succeed White. Giannoulias has the support and financial backing of organized labor. And has endorsements from Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, U.S. Rep. Chuy Garcia, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider, U.S Rep. Mike Quigley, and retiring U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Valencia has endorsements from Jesse White, Gov. Pritzker, U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin, Tammy Duckworth, and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago Alderman <\/span>David Moore<\/span><\/a> and Big Box Charities Executive Director <\/span>Sidney Moore<\/span><\/a> also filed to run in the Democratic primary.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the <\/span>Republican<\/b> side, former U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Illinois <\/span>John Milhiser<\/span><\/a> has the backing of Ken Griffin and the statewide Republican slate. House Deputy Republican Leader <\/span>Dan Brady<\/span><\/a> will challenge Milhiser for the Republican nomination.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brady has been a fixture in the General Assembly since 2001. Milhiser served as the top U.S. attorney in central Illinois from 2018 until last year, an appointment from former President Donald Trump. Despite that financial backing of Ken Griffen, the <\/span>Sun-Times WBEZ poll<\/span><\/a> had Brady holding 29% support among likely Republican primary voters compared to 13% for Milhiser. More than 50% of voters remain undecided.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S Senate<\/span><\/h2>\n

Seven Republicans are vying for an opportunity to unseat first-term Democratic US Senator Tammy Duckworth. <\/span>Casey Chlebek<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Peggy Hubbard<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Robert \u201cBobby\u201d Piton<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>Jimmy Lee Tillman II<\/span><\/a>, Anthony W. Williams, <\/span>Kathy Salvi<\/span><\/a>, and Matthew \u201cMatt\u201d Dubiel.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the <\/span>Chicago Sun-Times\/WBEZ poll, <\/span><\/a>the field is pretty open. The primary winner will face Senator Duckworth, a popular military veteran, and a formidable candidate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Illinois Congressional Races<\/span><\/h2>\n

1st Congressional District<\/span><\/h3>\n

The ballot to fill outgoing, 15-term Congressman Bobby Rush\u2019s open seat is packed with 17 Democratic candidates. Some of which are familiar names, and some are newcomers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the 1st Congressional District has long been a powerhouse seat for leaders in the black community, changing district demographics and redistricting, capturing rural voters in Channahon and Bourbonnais will play a role in the primary election.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the list of Democrats with top contenders listed first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n