Yesterday was a cold, blustery election day in Chicago. Voter turnout was just over 25% when polls closed. But I know you City Cast Chicago readers did your civic duty.
So without further ado, let’s review who won.
The Senate Race
The retirement of longtime Sen. Dick Durbin has opened up a super competitive Democratic race — ultimately won by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton. She beat out fellow frontrunners U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th) and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (2nd), in addition to seven other party hopefuls, winning about 40% of the vote.
Stratton will face former state GOP chairman Don Tracy in November’s general election.
Meanwhile, Krishnamoorthi and Kelly both forfeited their congressional seats in order to run for senate.
Congressional Races
- In the 2nd: Cook County commissioner Donna Miller will replace Kelly on the Democratic ticket. Earning 40% of the vote, she beat out Jesse Jackson Jr. who hoped to win back his former seat years after pleading guilty to financial misdeeds. In November, Miller faces Republican Michael Noack, who ran uncontested in the primary.
- In the 7th: State Rep. La Shawn Ford beat out twelve candidates, including Chicago treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, to hopefully succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Danny Davis. Ford earned 24% of the vote and will face Republican Chad Koppie in November.
- In the 8th: Melissa Bean beat out seven other Democrats to win back her old seat given up by Krishnamoorthi, with 32% of the vote. Bean lost her seat after three terms when the district went red in 2010. She’ll be up against Republican Jennifer Davis in the general.
- In the 9th: Evanston mayor Daniel Biss won out the crowded race to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky. Biss earned just over 29% of the vote, beating out former journalist Kat Abughazaleh, state Sen. Laura Fine, and 12 others. In the general, Biss will face Republican John Elleson.
Check out the results of other (less competitive) congressional races here.
Local Races
- Cook County Board President: Toni Preckwinkle faced a major challenge from the relatively conservative Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) but ultimately won with over 68% of the vote.
- Comptroller: Of the four Democrats aiming to become comptroller, state Rep. Margaret Croke is currently leading by a narrow margin over state Sen. Karina Villa. Croke will face Republican Bryan Drew, who ran uncontested in the primary, in November.
- Cook County Assessor: Leading up to the election, the county Democratic party sided against incumbent Fritz Kaegi. Ultimately, voters did too. Kaegi lost to suburban assessor Pat Hynes, who had over 52% of the vote.
- The Cook County Board of Review: Following allegations against incumbent Samantha Steele (and a past DUI arrest), Steele lost her seat to challenger Liz Nicholson. Nicholson won 62% of the vote. Another incumbent commissioner George Cardenas maintained his seat despite a challenge from activist Juanita Irizarry, earning 53% of the vote.
- As for the governor’s race … Gov. JB Pritzker ran uncontested and will face off against Republican Darren Bailey. Again.
