The election has concluded, and the votes are in. Before discussing the candidates and races, it’s important to note that voter turnout was low. Chicago has 1,554,337 registered voters, but only 25.48% participated. While younger voters aged 25-34 have increased their voting, older voters still turn out more frequently, with the highest turnout demographic being in the 65-74 age group. Women vote significantly more than men. Most votes are cast between 5 pm and 6 pm. The later in the day, the higher the vote count.
Stratton Wins Illinois Democratic Senate Primary
Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton won the Democratic nomination to replace Sen. Dick Durbin, winning with 40.1% of the vote and defeating Raja Krishnamoorthi, who received 33.2%. She ran an aggressive and fierce campaign, taking control of the debates.
Raja had $18 million, but Governor JB Pritzker donated $5 million to Stratton for television ads to boost her campaign. Her message focused on ICE and opposing Trump. She portrayed herself as a fighter, while Raja was depicted as a sitting congressman who would stand up because he is an immigrant.
Robin Kelly ran a weak campaign, 18.1%; her message was unclear and overly polite. Stratton hopes to become Illinois’ second Black female senator, and with her entry, there will be three women in the Senate at once for the first time. Stratton targeted downstate communities, which paid off, as she also carried the Black and Latino communities. It was strategically important for Stratton to win for Pritzker, as he considers a run for the White House in 2028. With Stratton, he delivers to women and the Black community, a serious voting bloc.
Miller Wins Primary for Illinois 2nd Congressional District
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won the crowded Democratic primary for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District with 40% of the vote. She beat Jesse Jackson Jr., who had 29%, by 9,404 votes. She secured the Southland and focused on Black women voters and healthcare.
Donna received the Tribune endorsement. Jackson highlighted global economics in his third airport plan and his senior legislative record. Miller spent $7.2 million more than he did, using APAI money to run nonstop TV ads in the final month of the campaign. Jackson’s TV ads never gained much attention. His presidential remarks at his father’s funeral hurt him, and social media was flooded with reactions to that comment.
In this race, AIPAC dollars decided the outcome. Jackson, with his legislative experience, was the better candidate, but he failed to connect with voters. He always led in polls throughout the campaign.
Lashawn Ford Wins Primary for Congressional District 7
The campaign being studied is LaShawn Ford’s. He was impressive as he ran a grassroots campaign from start to finish. Supported by Congressman Danny Davis, who is retiring and campaigned for Ford just as vigorously as he did for his own campaigns. Ford faced vicious false commercials attacking him that made him look like a criminal. However, his ground game was strong, and his legislative record as a champion for the people spoke for itself. He stayed focused, and his social media presence was exceptional, attracting a diverse, youthful audience and garnering endorsements from a very well-established constituency. The Tribune’s endorsement of the doctor in the race while overlooking the single legislator, who ran against 12 other candidates, was problematic. He challenged AIPAC’s dollars. Yet, in this race, the people emerged victorious. LaShawn was the people’s candidate, and his authenticity shone brightly. It was a people’s campaign all the way.
Pat Hynes Defeats Fritz Kaegi in Primary Election…
Pat Hynes won the Democratic Primary for Cook County Assessor against Fritz Kaegi. He was steady and persistent. He loves accessing property, and it shows—it’s his expertise. Kaegi came off as racist in this campaign, with raising taxes that affected the Black community. Hynes consistently argued that the taxes were incorrect. He asked people to bring tax bills to rallies, and on the spot, with a cell phone, he found errors and filed a “certificate of error.” This effort was very successful because he proved it could be done and did it himself. He saved people’s homes and lowered taxes in about five minutes, almost like magic. The Tribune did not endorse him. He proved on the campaign trail to be efficient and effective.
Preckwinkle Wins Democratic Nom for Cook County Board President
Toni Preckwinkle is returning to her seat as President of the Cook County Board for her fifth term. She suggests that, on her birthday/election night, this will be her last term. She used the power of the incumbent and the power of the Democratic Party. She is a masterful politician. Alderman Brendan Reilly ran vicious TV commercials against Toni, but you didn’t see him on the street with his campaign message in person. He relied on TV ads. Toni is a campaigner. She held rallies; she appeared in churches, community organizations, and everywhere with energy. Reilly accused her of taxes that weren’t really hers. This campaign included race. Reilly didn’t campaign at all in the Black community, whereas Toni was everywhere. The Tribune also missed this race with its endorsement.
2026 Was An Expensive Race…
2026 was an expensive race. Around $70 million was spent by outside groups. Politics is big business, especially for television. The 2nd District spent about $8.0 million, and the 7th District spent about $10.5 million. The majority of this money came from outside Illinois. Juliana Stratton spent $40.23 per vote; Raja Krishnamoorthi spent $62.28 per vote, and Robin Kelly spent about $20.49 per vote. So, the moral here is that it is not always the greatest spender who wins. He who runs the best race wins. It appears people are not voting as they should. The negative commercials and constant TV ads have a negative get-out-the-vote effect. Newspaper endorsements don’t matter. Social media does matter. This is the new style of campaigning. Congratulations to the newly elected officials.
