US Election 2026 House Illinois
Patty García speaks during a news conference to announce her candidacy for the fourth district congressional race, Nov. 12, 2025, in Cicero, Ill.
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Illinois voters are deciding primaries for six open U.S. House and Senate seats that will spur a new generation of leadership in the state’s heavily Democratic congressional delegation. The retirement of Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin has triggered a competitive campaign to find a replacement. Among the candidates in Tuesday's Democratic primary are two sitting House members and the lieutenant governor. Furious fundraising and sharp elbows have marked the race. It is also a test of the influence of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker. House retirements have led to open seats across the Chicago area. The stakes are high with most primary winners in the Democratic stronghold expected to win in November.
