Illinois Democrats defend US House seats from GOP challengers across the state

CHICAGO (AP) — Two first-term Illinois Democrats locked into competitive congressional contests held onto their seats as control of the U.S. House remained up for grabs.

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen beat Republican Joe McGraw in the 17th Congressional District, while Rep. Nikki Budzinski beat Republican Joshua Loyd in the 13th District. Democrats in other districts statewide also fended off Republican challengers hoping to maintain their party’s control of the House.

Illinois Democrats had an advantage heading into the election, leading in fundraising and armed with a political map that favors incumbents. In hopes of boosting turnout, leaders in the blue state also put before voters three non-binding advisory questions on property tax relief, insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization and election worker interference.

While Republicans took the U.S. Senate majority on Tuesday, dozens of House races around the country were yet to be called.

Here’s a closer look at Illinois’ competitive House races.

17th District

Sorensen was elected to a second term in the sprawling “C-shaped” northwest Illinois district in the state’s most competitive race.

Covering union-heavy manufacturing areas and college towns, the territory leans Democratic. But it also features pockets of farmland, which trend conservative.

Sorensen, a former television meteorologist, was first elected to office in 2022. The 48-year-old had backing from unions and farmers and dominated in fundraising. According to Federal Election Commission data, he had more than $4.5 million in total contributions compared with McGraw’s roughly $1.3 million.

Sorensen thanked supporters gathered in Moline late Tuesday.

“Over the past two years, I’ve set out to make sure our community has a trusted neighbor serving them in Congress,” Sorensen said in a statement. “Now, it’s about coming together to do what’s best for all of us and I am proud to be the good neighbor to represent you!”

McGraw said Wednesday that he was he was disappointed with the results after fighting hard for voters.

“Our campaign gave voice to tens of thousands of Illinoisans who are sick of watching politicians stack the deck against working families, leaving our communities behind,” he said in a statement posted on the social platform X.

On the campaign trail, Sorensen tried to appeal to Democrats and Republicans. Often touting his background in weather, he advocated for green energy and ways to fight climate change. At the same time, he noted he was one of only four Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee who backed a new farm bill earlier this year.

A former judge and prosecutor from Rockford, McGraw said Sorensen wasn’t the right fit for the district, calling out his views on climate change and his support for LGBTQ+ rights. Sorensen is openly gay. McGraw touted support from law enforcement groups and national Republican groups.

13th District

Budzinski, 47, also won a second term in the narrow, Democratic-leaning district that runs through central Illinois. The territory extends from the St. Louis area to Champaign and includes college towns and agricultural communities.

“I’ll continue to cut through the political noise and nonsense to support working families, lower costs and secure our southern border,” she said in a statement Wednesday. “And I’ll push back on any efforts to undermine our democracy or restrict the fundamental rights and freedoms we hold dear.”

During the campaign, Budzinski played up her role in helping secure a $51 million federal grant for an agricultural tech hub run by the University of Illinois.

Once a senior adviser to Gov. JB Pritzker and a labor union activist, Budzinksi had also vastly overtaken Loyd in fundraising. She raised roughly $4 million in total contributions, compared with Loyd’s about $76,000, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

Loyd, 26, says Budzinski could do more to help constituents. A graduate of West Point military academy, he said he struggled to get veterans benefits after being medically discharged from the military and elected leaders didn’t help him.

He says ensuring veterans get their entitled benefits is among his top priorities.

His campaign did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday.

Other notable races

Two other incumbent Democrats’ races — both in the Chicago area — also held onto their seats after spirited challenges from Republicans.

Rep. Sean Casten was reelected to a fourth term in the largely suburban 6th District over Republican Niki Conforti.

A scientist and businessman-turned politician, Casten first won office in 2018 when he flipped a longtime Republican territory and ousted a six-term incumbent. The redrawn district now leans Democrat and is comprised of communities southwest of Chicago along neighborhoods on its South Side.

Casten thanked supporters and said he felt hopeful about the future.

“No matter who you voted for in this election, who your neighbors or loved ones voted for, do not lose sight of the fact that we are one people – the American people – bound by these shared values,” Casten said in a statement.

West of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood was reelected to a fourth term in the 14th District. Her opponent was Jim Marter, a software consultant and former chairman of the Republican Party of Kendall County.

Underwood was first elected in 2018, unseating a four-term Republican and becoming the youngest Black woman to join the U.S. House. She previously worked as a nurse.

Reproductive rights was one of the main issues in the district that includes western suburbs and rural communities. Underwood has said she fully supports abortion rights while Marter opposes abortion without exception.

Underwood said the seven counties that make up the district are diverse.

“Despite all our differences, we are a hopeful community,” she said in a post on X. “And together we will move forward, with a commitment to freedom and justice for all.”

Sophia Tareen, The Associated Press