CHICAGO — Primary Election Day saw few surprises for the Chicago area — but plenty of interesting results.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton claimed the Democratic nomination for Senate, defeating Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi in a close race; and Gov. JB Pritzker will face Republican challenger Darren Bailey — again — in November’s gubernatorial election.
The general election is Nov. 3.
Here are key takeaways from primary Election Day:
Voter Turnout
Early, unofficial numbers had voter turnout at about 25 percent. That’s expected to rise somewhat as final vote-by-mail and provisional ballots come in.
Here’s how it broke down:
Votes by Age Group
18-24: 19,605 ballots cast
25-34: 65,658 ballots cast
35-44: 61,313 ballots cast
45-54: 53,972 ballots cast
55-64: 67,714 ballots cast
65-74: 73,154 ballots cast
75 and older: 53,469 ballots cast
Votes By Gender
Female: 223,376 ballots cast
Male: 171,385 ballots cast
Non-Binary/X: 591 ballots cast
Undeclared: 676 ballots cast
Pritzker vs. Bailey, Round 2
Gov. JB Pritzker was unchallenged in the Democratic primary for Illinois governor. He’ll face Republican Darren Bailey, a previous political rival, in November’s general election.
Pritzker and Bailey faced off in 2022’s gubernatorial election, with Pritzker easily winning after a contentious campaign season that saw the two repeatedly trade insults.
Pritzker, the billionaire scion of a famously wealthy and politically connected family, has been courting national attention for years, with his star rising as he led Illinois during the pandemic. Seen as a more progressive politician, he’s been talked about a potential presidential contender for 2028.
Bailey is a millionaire farmer from southern Illinois who has served in the Illinois House and Senate. He gained attention for putting up legal challenges to Pritzker’s stay at home order during the COVID-19 pandemic and for refusing to comply with a mask requirement in the state Legislature.
Bailey has previously attempted to have Chicago become its own state apart from the rest of Illinois, and he’s been a critic of the state’s largest city.
Stratton, Tracy Headed To Senate Race
When Sen. Dick Durbin announced he’d retire at the end of his term, it set off a flurry of campaigning.
Ten Democrats ran for the post in the primary, as did six Republicans. The race — particularly among the Democratic candidates — was contentious at times, with candidates trading attack ads.
But The Associated Press called the Democratic primary for Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton about 9:45 p.m. She had 39.7 percent of the vote with 85 percent of votes counted; the closest candidate, Raja Krishnamoorthi, had 33.4 percent of the vote.
Stratton will face Republican Don Tracy in November’s general election. Tracy, former chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, had 40 percent of the vote with 67 percent of votes counted.
Toni Preckwinkle, president of Cook County Board of Commissioners, speaks during the ribbon-cutting event for the Ada S. McKinley Multi-Service Site, 6033 S. Wentworth Ave., in Englewood on Dec. 2, 2025. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Preckwinkle Fends Off Challenger
Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, easily fought off a challenge from Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd).
Preckwinkle has led the Cook County Board since 2010, but Reilly sought to unseat her in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. Preckwinkle won handily, claiming about 68 percent of the vote with 84 percent of votes counted. She’s expected to win the general election in November.
Competitive Congressional Seats
• Donna Miller Wins Democratic Primary For 2nd District’s Seat In Congress
• Mike Quigley Wins Democratic Primary For 5th Congressional District Seat
• La Shawn Ford Wins Crowded Democratic Primary For 7th Congressional District
• Biss Wins Competitive Democratic Primary For 9th Congressional District
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García poses for a portrait in Little Village on March 9, 2026. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Chuy’s Successor?
Only one name appears on Tuesday’s Democratic primary ballot for the 4th Congressional District: Patty García. That guaranteed her a win — and, with it, the Democratic nomination for November’s general election.
Yet García could actually face a slew of challengers.
Two independent Latino candidates running on Democratic platforms have emerged as strong challengers — Pilsen Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez and political organizer Mayra Macías — as long as they can make the ballot.
Another two independent candidates from the suburbs have joined the race: Lindsay Church, a nonbinary veteran, nonprofit leader and LGBTQ+ parent from Berwyn, announced her run in January; and Chris Getty, the Lyons mayor and township director who has raised substantial funds for his political runs in the suburbs, announced his campaign last month.
Read more.
Other Results
Cook County Assessor
Illinois Secretary of State
Comptroller
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