CHICAGO — Primary Election Day brought plenty of intriguing outcomes for the Chicago area, even if there weren’t many surprises.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the Democratic nomination for Senate, narrowly defeating Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi. Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker will once again face Republican Darren Bailey in the gubernatorial election this November.
Mark your calendars: the general election is on November 3.
Here’s what you need to know from the primary results:
Voter Turnout
Initial reports suggest voter turnout was about 25%. This number may increase as mail-in and provisional ballots are counted.
The turnout by age groups showed a mix of engagement:
- 18-24: 19,605 ballots
- 25-34: 65,658 ballots
- 35-44: 61,313 ballots
- 45-54: 53,972 ballots
- 55-64: 67,714 ballots
- 65-74: 73,154 ballots
- 75 and older: 53,469 ballots
By gender:
- Female: 223,376 ballots
- Male: 171,385 ballots
- Non-Binary/X: 591 ballots
- Undeclared: 676 ballots
Pritzker vs. Bailey, Round 2
In the Democratic primary, Gov. JB Pritzker faced no opposition. He’ll meet Republican Darren Bailey again in the general election. Their prior showdown in 2022 featured intense campaigning and mutual insults, with Pritzker ultimately winning by a significant margin.
Pritzker, known for his progressive stance, has garnered national attention as he led Illinois through the pandemic. Speculation about a possible presidential run in 2028 continues to grow. Bailey, a millionaire farmer and former state legislator, has been controversial, challenging COVID mandates and suggesting Chicago beindependent from Illinois.
Stratton and Tracy Headed to Senate Race
With Sen. Dick Durbin planning to retire, the Senate race heated up. Ten Democrats and six Republicans competed in the primary. Stratton secured the Democratic nomination with about 39.7% of the votes, edging out Krishnamoorthi, who received 33.4%.
Stratton will face Republican Don Tracy, who garnered about 40% of his party’s votes.
Preckwinkle Fends Off Challenger
Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board, defeated Ald. Brendan Reilly, winning around 68% of the vote. She’s been in this role since 2010 and is expected to easily win in the general election.
Competitive Congressional Seats
Several key congressional races saw significant outcomes:
- Donna Miller won the Democratic primary for the 2nd District.
- Mike Quigley secured the Democratic nomination for the 5th District.
- La Shawn Ford emerged victorious in the 7th District’s crowded Democratic primary.
- Daniel Biss won a competitive primary for the 9th District.
Chuy’s Successor?
Patty García was the only name on the Democratic ballot for the 4th Congressional District, automatically giving her the nomination. However, she might face stiff competition from independent candidates like Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and organizer Mayra Macías, as well as suburban candidates Lindsay Church and Chris Getty.
As the political landscape continues to evolve, local engagement and voter turnout are key areas to watch. According to a recent survey from the Pew Research Center, around 80% of eligible voters believe their vote can make a difference, underlining the importance of participation in elections.
Stay tuned as these races unfold and as we learn more about voter sentiment and emerging issues leading up to the general election.
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