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Cornerstone Clients and Interested Parties Cornerstone Government Affairs 2026 Election Analysis: Illinois November 4, 2026
General E lection Report – November 3, 2 026 In yesterday’s General Election, voters cast ballots for U.S. Senate and all six statewide constitutional offices, plus 39 of 59 state Senate offices and all 118 state House seats. All 17 Illinois Congressional seats were also up for election. Illinois remains a solidly blue state following Tuesday’s election. Democrats benefited from a blue tsunami throughout the entire ticket. Several legislative races remain too close to call, but Democrats in both the House and Senate are poised to pick up several seats. Republicans couldn't overcome the funding gap and anti-Trump sentiment and appear poised to lose races that would normally not be competitive on paper. Democrats handily won all six statewide constitutional offices, with Governor JB Pritzker winning election to a third term. Republicans once again failed to field strong statewide candidates. Heading into Tuesday’s contest, Democrats held veto-proof majorities in both chambers of the State House (40 Democrats /19 Republicans in the Illinois Senate and 78 Democrats/40 Republicans in the Illinois House). Once all ballots are counted, those majorities are expected to grow following Tuesday’s elections. Winners are starred and in bold below. Some races remain too close to call, and outcomes may change as Early Voting and Vote-by-mail ballots are counted over the next two weeks. Capitol News Illinois offers election results here. United States Senate Illinois voters elected a new United States Senator to replace longtime Democratic US Senator Dick Durbin, who is retiring. This race featured Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton, who benefited from the endorsement and funding of Governor JB Pritzker, former Republican Party chair Don Tracy, and little-known third-party candidate Withfield Harrington. Stratton won handily. DISTRICT / OFFICE US Senator* *Denotes Open Seat
DEMOCRAT ★ Juliana Stratton
REPUBLICAN Don Tracy
THIRD PARTY / INDEPENDENT Whitfield Harrington Jr
Sta tewide Constitutional Offices
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All six statewide constitutional offices were on the ballot this year. Democrats, who held every office before Tuesday’s election, swept all six races as Republicans again struggled to field well-known, viable statewide candidates. Gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett, a Republican-turned-independent who garnered roughly 3% of the vote, said his campaign was mostly about proving there is an appetite for independent, centrist candidates in Illinois by offering voters a choice between billionaire Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and Trump-endorsed Republican Darren Bailey. Corbett said he hopes to play the long game and recruit more independent candidates to give voters a more moderate choice going forward. DISTRICT / OFFICE
DEMOCRAT
Governor/Lt. ★ JB Pritzker (I)/ Governor Christian Mitchell Attorney General ★ Kwame Raoul (I) Secretary of State ★ Alexi Giannoulias (I) Comptroller* ★ Margaret Croke Treasurer ★ Michael W. Frerichs (I) *Denotes Open Seat
REPUBLICAN Darren Bailey Aaron B. Del Mar Robert W. Fioretti Diane M. Harris Bryan Drew Max Solomon
THIRD PARTY / INDEPENDENT Collin Corbett (I)
C ongress All 17 congressional seats were up for election. Heading into Tuesday’s contest, Democrats held 14 of Illinois’ 17 congressional seats. Those numbers did not change following Tuesday’s contest. Five seats are open in this election cycle; Congresswoman Robin Kelly and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi lost in the U.S. Senate primary, and three long-time congresspersons are retiring: Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky, and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia. Tuesday’s contests brought no surprises, and Illinois Democrats maintain their stronghold in Congress. DISTRICT / OFFICE
DEMOCRAT
REPUBLICAN
1st Congress 2nd Congress* 3rd Congress
★ Jonathan L. Jackson (I) ★ Donna Miller ★ Delia Ramirez (I)
Christian Maxwell Michael Scott Noack Angel Oakley
4th Congress*
★ Patty Garcia
Lupe Castillo
5th Congress 6th Congress 7th Congress*
★ Mike Quigley (I) ★ Sean Casten (I) ★ La Shawn K. Ford
Tommy Hanson Niki Conforti Chad Koppie
8th Congress* 9th Congress*
★ Melissa L. Bean ★ Daniel Biss ★ Brad Schneider (I)
Jennifer Davis John Elleson
10th Congress
2026 Election Analysis
THIRD PARTY / INDEPENDENT
Chris Getty Ed Hershey
Carl Lambrecht
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DISTRICT / OFFICE 11th Congress 12th Congress 13th Congress 14th Congress 15th Congress 16th Congress 17th Congress * Denotes Open Seat
DEMOCRAT ★ Bill Foster (I) Julie Fortier ★ Nikki Budzinski (I) ★ Lauren Underwood (I) Jennifer Todd Paul Nolley ★ Eric Sorensen (I)
REPUBLICAN
THIRD PARTY / INDEPENDENT
Jeff Walter ★ Mike Bost (I) Jeff Wilson James T. "Jim" Marter ★ Mary E. Miller (I) ★ Darin LaHood (I) Dillan S. Vancil
Illinois State Senate Thirty-nine of the state’s fifty-nine Senate seats were up for election this year. Four seats were open: Senator Laura Fine ran unsuccessfully in the congressional primary, and Senators Mark Walker, Linda Holmes, and Don DeWitte are retiring. Sixteen Senators were running unopposed. Heading into Tuesday’s contests, Democrats held a supermajority in the Senate (40 Democrats/19 Republicans). After Tuesday’s results, Senate Democrats picked up three seats, with the potential to gain more once all votes are counted. In the hotly contested 26th District, appointed Senator Darby Hills (R) lost to challenger Democratic Representative Nabeela Syed. Challenger Karen Battaglia (D) is currently leading Republican Senator Craig Wilcox in the 32nd Senate District, with 96% of the vote reported. Democratic Senator Doris Turner trounced her Republican opponent, Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko. In the 24th District, Senator Seth Lewis (R) lost to Democratic challenger Ben McAdams. Democrat Carina Santa Maria will replace retiring Senator Mark Walker in the 27 th Senate District. Democrat Michelle Clark easily defeated Republican Danielle Penman to replace retiring Senator Don DeWitte in the 33rd Senate District. In the 56th Senate District, Marsia Geldert-Murphey (D) defeated Republican Senator Erica Hariss. Long-term Republican Senators Sue Rezin (38th District) and Dave Syverson (35th District) are currently holding slim leads over their Democratic challengers. The races remain too close to call. Jared Ploger will replace retiring Senator Linda Holmes in the 42 nd Senate District. Appointed Senator Paul Jacobs (R) won his first election, replacing retiring Senator Dale Fowler.
2026 Election Analysis
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DISTRICT / OFFICE
DEMOCRAT
REPUBLICAN
2nd Senate 3rd Senate 5th Senate 6th Senate 8th Senate 9th Senate* 11th Senate 12th Senate 14th Senate
★ Omar Aquino (I) ★ Mattie Hunter (I) ★ Lakesia Collins (I) ★ Sara Feigenholtz (I) Ram Villivalam (I) ★ Patrick Hanley (I) ★ Mike Porfirio (I) ★ Celina Villanueva (I) ★ Emil Jones, III (I)
15th Senate 17th Senate 18th Senate 20th Senate 21st Senate
★ Napoleon B. Harris III (I) ★ Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (I) ★ Frances Ann Hurley (I) ★ Graciela Guzman (I) ★ Laura Ellman (I)
23rd Senate 24th Senate 26th Senate 27th Senate* 29th Senate
★ Suzanne "Suzy" Glowiak Hilton (I) ★ Benjamin "Ben" McAdams ★ Nabeela Syed ★ Carina Santa Maria ★ Julie A. Morrison (I)
Linda Z. Polacek Seth Lewis (I) Darby Hills (I) David Mathis Kate McGrath
30th Senate 32nd Senate 33rd Senate* 35th Senate 36th Senate 38th Senate 39th Senate 41st Senate 42nd Senate * 44th Senate
★ Adriane L. Johnson (I) ★ Karen Battaglia ★ Michele Clark Sarah B. Mertens ★ Michael W. Halpin (I) Ernie R. Marcelain ★ Don Harmon
Craig Wilcox (I) Danielle Penman Dave Syverson (I) Brad Beekman Sue Rezin (I)
45th Senate 47th Senate 48th Senate 50th Senate
Joseph H. "Joe" Berning
51st Senate 53rd Senate 54th Senate
2026 Election Analysis
★ Jared Ploger
Vince Romano Tom Lally
Brian Skala Frederick L. Walls Christine McGovern Julie Berkowicz
★ John Curran Edgardo "Eddie" Perez ★ Sally J. Turner (I)
★ Doris Turner (I)
★ Andrew S. Chesney (I) ★ Neil Anderson (I) Frank Lesko ★ Jil Tracy (I) ★ Chapin Rose (I) ★ Chris Balkema (I) ★ Steve McClure (I)
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DISTRICT / OFFICE 56th Senate 57th Senate 59th Senate *Denotes Open Seat
DEMOCRAT ★ Marsia Geldert-Murphey ★ Christopher Belt (I) Tamiko "T.C." Mueller
REPUBLICAN Erica Harriss (I) Daniel Rhyne ★ Paul Jacobs (I)
Illinois House of Representatives All 118 House seats are up for election this year. Fifty-five seats were contested. There are eleven open seats. Seven members ran for another office: Representative Ford (Congress), Representative Croke (Comptroller), Representative Huynh (Congress), Representative Syed (State Senate), Representative Kifowit (Comptroller), Representative Tipsword (Sheriff). Representatives Smith and Grant are retiring. Democratic Representative Jamie Andrade (40 th District) and Republican Deputy Minority Leader Norine Hammond (94th District) lost their primary bids. Representative Moylan filed petitions to run for reelection but later retired, paving the way for his Chief of Staff, Justin Cochran, to be appointed to his seat. Representative Jacobs was appointed to replace Senator Dale Folwer (59th District), who retired. Scott Doody was appointed to replace Jacobs in the House (118 th District). Heading into Tuesday, Democrats held a supermajority of the House seats (78 Democrats/40 Republicans). So far, House Democrats have picked up three seats, with the likelihood of gaining more once all votes are counted. In the 47th Representative District, Democrat Erica Bray-Parker flipped the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Representative Amy Grant, defeating Republican Robert Vrankovich. In the competitive race in the 97th House District, appointed Representative Jessica Dixon Heitman easily defeated challenger Gabby Shanahan (R). The hotly contested race in the 52nd House District featured a rematch from 2024. This year, the outcome was different: Democrat Maria Peterson defeated conservative Representative Marty McLaughlin. Democrats once again targeted Representative Brandun Schweizer (R). This race remains too close to call, but Democratic challenger Mary Catherine Roberson is currently leading the 104 th Representative District. Democratic challenger Amanda Zahorak is currently leading over Republican Representative Jennifer Sanalitro in the 48th House District. This race remains too close to call. In the 65th House District, Democratic challenger Ricky Rivard is currently leading over Republican Representative Dan Ugaste. This race remains too close to call. In the 70th House District, Representative Jeff Kiecher (R) holds a slim lead over Democratic challenger Veronica Garcia-Martinez. This race remains too close to call.
2026 Election Analysis
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In the 114th District, Democratic challenger George McClellan holds a slight lead over Republican Representative Kevin Schmidt. This race remains too close to call. Appointed Republican Representative Scott Doody is currently leading in his first election to the 118 th Representative District. Democrat Homer Markel challenged him. This race remains too close to call. Democrat Representative Katie Stuart easily fended off a challenge from Republican Jimmy Ford in the 112 th House District. Democrat Paul Kendrick will replace Representative Margaret Croke in the 12 th District. Kendrick easily defeated Republican challenger Justin Kumar. Democrat Demi Palecek will replace Representative Hoan Huynh in the 13 th Representative District. Palecek easily defeated Terry Nguyen Le. Democrat Jenny Levin defeated Republican Lori Smith in the 51 st Representative District, replacing Representative Nabeela Syed. In the 76th House District, Representative Amy Briel easily defeated Republican challenger Liz Bishop. Representative Carol Ammons defeated write-in candidate businessman Kevin Smith in the 103rd Representative District. Smith entered the race in September after Representative Ammons was indicted. Smith noted that he is a registered Democrat and ran a write-in campaign to give voters a choice. Democrat Shantel Franklin ran unopposed Tuesday for the 8th Representative District. She will replace Representative Ford, who is moving to Congress. Appointed Representative Justin Cochran won his first election in the 55 th Representative District. Democrat Saba Haider defeated Republican Brian Scopa to replace retiring Representative Stephanie Kifotwit (D). DISTRICT / OFFICE
DEMOCRAT
1st Representative 2nd Representative 3rd Representative 4th Representative 5th Representative 6th Representative 7th Representative
★ Aaron M. Ortiz (I) ★ Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez (I) ★ Eva-Dina Delgado (I) ★ Lilian Jimenez (I) ★ Kimberly Neely DuBuclet (I) ★ Sonya Marie Harper (I) ★ Emanuel "Chris" Welch (I)
8th Representative*
★ Shantel Franklin
9th Representative 10th Representative
★ Yolonda Morris (I) ★ Jawaharial "Omar" Williams (I)
2026 Election Analysis
REPUBLICAN Laura Hruska
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DISTRICT / OFFICE
DEMOCRAT
11th Representative 12th Representative* 13th Representative* 14th Representative
★ Ann M. Williams (I) ★ Paul Kendrick ★ Demerike "Demi" Palecek ★ Kelly M. Cassidy (I)
15th Representative 16th Representative 17th Representative 18th Representative 19th Representative
★ Michael J. Kelly (I) ★ Kevin John Olickal (I) ★ Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (I) ★ Robyn Gabel (I) ★ Lindsey LaPointe (I)
20th Representative 21st Representative 22nd Representative 23rd Representative 24th Representative
★ Abdelnasser Rashid (I) ★ Angie Guerrero-Cuellar (I) ★ Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (I) ★ Theresa Mah (I)
25th Representative 26th Representative 27th Representative 28th Representative
★ Curtis J. Tarver II (I) ★ Kam Buckner (I) ★ Justin Q. Slaughter (I) ★ Robert "Bob" Rita (I)
29th Representative
★ Thaddeus Jones (I)
30th Representative 31st Representative 32nd Representative 33rd Representative
★ William "Will" Davis (I) ★ Michael "Mike" Crawford (I) ★ Lisa J. Davis (I) ★ Marcus C. Evans, Jr. (I)
34th Representative* 35th Representative 36th Representative 37th Representative 38th Representative
★ Cleopatra "Cleo" Cowley ★ Mary Gill (I) ★ Rick Ryan (I)
39th Representative 40th Representative* 41st Representative 42nd Representative
★ Will Guzzardi (I) ★ Miguel Alvelo-Rivera ★ Janet Yang Rohr (I) ★ Margaret A. DeLarosa (I)
43rd Representative
★ Anna Moeller (I) ★ Fred Crespo (I)
44th Representative 45th Representative
2026 Election Analysis
REPUBLICAN Justin J. Kumar Terry Nguyen Le
James "Jim" Geldermann Pete Donaghue John "JZ" Zimmers ★ Brad Stephens (I) Eric Su
Antoinette Jewel Simmons
Monet Wilson **(Write in Candidate, not running as a Republican)
David A. Dewar David Sheppard Patrick Sheehan (I)
★ Debbie Meyers-Martin (I)
★ Martha "Marti" Deuter (I)
Cesar A. Guillen Ajay Gupta Stephanie W. Trussell Ralph Black Gina Parrilli
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DISTRICT / OFFICE
DEMOCRAT
REPUBLICAN
46th Representative 47th Representative* 48th Representative 49th Representative
★ Diane Blair-Sherlock (I) ★ Erica Bray-Parker Amanda Zahorak ★ Maura Hirschauer (I)
Pedro Jovany Mendoza Robert A. Vrankovich Jennifer Sanalitro (I) John Paul Augustynowicz
50th Representative 51st Representative* 52nd Representative 53rd Representative 54th Representative
★ Barbara Hernandez (I) ★ Jenny Levin ★ Maria Peterson ★ Nicolle Grasse (I) ★ Mary Beth Canty (I)
Lori Smith Martin McLaughlin (I) Elizabeth Bauer Joseph M. Tracy
55th Representative 56th Representative 57th Representative 58th Representative 59th Representative
★ Justin Cochran (I) ★ Michelle Mussman (I) ★ Tracy Katz Muhl (I) ★ Bob Morgan (I) ★ Daniel Didech (I)
60th Representative 61st Representative 62nd Representative 63rd Representative 64th Representative 65th Representative 66th Representative 67th Representative 68th Representative 69th Representative 70th Representative 71st Representative 72nd Representative 73rd Representative 74th Representative
★ Rita Mayfield (I) ★ Joyce Mason (I) ★ Laura Faver Dias (I)
75th Representative 76th Representative 77th Representative 78th Representative
Caroline McCree
79th Representative 80th Representative 81st Representative
2026 Election Analysis
AJ Johnson Ricky Rivard ★ Suzanne Ness (I) ★ Maurice A. West II (I) ★ Dave Vella (I) Peter Janko Veronica Garcia-Martinez Kermit Thomas ★ Gregg Johnson (I) Nicole Dopler Nolan Kemp ★ Amy "Murri" Briel (I) ★ Norma Hernandez (I) ★ Camille Lilly (I) ★ Anthony DeLuca (I) ★ Anne Stava (I)
Joseph Johnson Rhys Read Daniel T. Behr
Tina Marie Durrant ★ Steven Reick (I) ★ Tom Weber (I) Dan Ugaste (I) Laurie Parman Kathy Easton ★ Joe C. Sosnowski (I) Jeff Keicher (I) ★ Dan Swanson (I) ★ Ryan Spain (I) ★ Bradley J. Fritts (I) ★ Jed Davis (I) Liz Bishop Anthony Airdo Julian-Jahleel Randolph Jemison ★ Jackie Haas (I) Adam M. Beaty Laura Hois
8
DISTRICT / OFFICE 82nd Representative 83rd Representative 84th Representative* 85th Representative
DEMOCRAT ★ Matt Hanson (I) ★ Saba Haider ★ Dagmara "Dee" Avelar (I)
86th Representative 87th Representative 88th Representative 89th Representative 90th Representative
★ Lawrence "Larry" M. Walsh, Jr. (I)
91st Representative 92nd Representative 93rd Representative 94th Representative* 95th Representative
★ Sharon Chung (I) ★ Jehan Gordon-Booth (I)
96th Representative 97th Representative 98th Representative 99th Representative 100th Representative
★ Sue Scherer (I) ★ Jessica Dixon Heitman (I) ★ Natalie A. Manley (I)
101st Representative 102nd Representative
Douglas Fagan
103rd Representative
★ Carol Ammons (I)
104th Representative 105th Representative* 106th Representative 107th Representative 108th Representative
Mary Catherine Roberson
116th Representative
2026 Election Analysis
★ Nicole La Ha (I) Jesse Rodriguez Brian Scopa Chris Metcalfe ★ William E Hauter (I) ★ Regan Deering (I) ★ Tony M. McCombie (I) ★ John M. Cabello (I)
★ Travis Weaver (I) ★ Joshua S. Higgins ★ Mike Coffey (I) Gabby Shanahan Nona Parker ★ Kyle A. Moore (I) ★ Christopher "C.D." Davidsmeyer (I)
109th Representative 110th Representative 111th Representative 112th Representative 113th Representative 114th Representative 115th Representative
REPUBLICAN
Rosetta "Rosie" Brown ★ Katie Stuart (I) ★ Jay C. Hoffman(I) George McClellan, Jr.
★ Chris G. Miller (I) ★ Adam M. Niemerg (I) Keith Smith (write-in candidate, not running as a Republican) Brandun Schweizer (I) ★ Tim Ruestman ★ Jason R. Bunting (I) ★ Brad Halbrook (I) ★ Wayne A. Rosenthal (I) ★ Charlie Meier (I) ★ Blaine Wilhour (I) ★ Amy Elik (I) Jimmy Ford Kevin Schmidt (I) ★ David H. Friess (I) ★ Dave Severin (I)
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DISTRICT / OFFICE 117th Representative 118th Representative *Denotes Open Seat
DEMOCRAT
REPUBLICAN ★ Patrick Windhorst (I) Scott Doody (I)
Homer "Chip" Markel
** Monet Wilson filed petitions challenging Jones in the Democratic primary, but she was ultimately removed from the ballot after Representative Jones challenged her petitions. *
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Interested in viewing additional election insights from Cornerstone’s bipartisan policy experts? Visit our 2026 Election Resource Center at cgagroup.com/2026-election/
2026 Election Analysis
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