The 2026 primary election results are in.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker won the primary and will face Republican challenger Darren Bailey in the general election governor’s race. Lieutenant Gov. Julianna Stratton has advanced to compete for a seat in the U.S. Senate, and many changes are likely in races for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Notably, State Rep. La Shawn Ford won the primary in the 7th Congressional District, which represents Oak Park and a section of Chicago’s West Side. Ford defeated 12 other candidates in a crowded Democratic primary, winning with 24.1% of the vote as of 9:44 p.m. on March 17.
He will make a bid to replace former U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who announced in July he would not seek reelection after firmly holding his seat for 30 years. Davis’ endorsement of Ford, the victor, shows his continuing influence in the district.
Oak Park saw a strong voter turnout of 36.8%, edging out its neighbor River Forest, which had just a 25% turnout rate.
The voting polls at both Roosevelt Middle School and the River Forest Community Center were calm and organized. Lines were short and moved quickly, making the overall experience smooth. Voters made their way in and out in a timely fashion, and casted their ballots with no problems.
