Politics & Government

IL Primary 2022 Guide: Governor, Sec Of State, Congressional Races

Republicans vie to run against Pritzker, U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth | Casten/Newman face off in 6th District | New Secretary of State

June 27 is the last day of early voting in the 2022 Illinois primary election.
June 27 is the last day of early voting in the 2022 Illinois primary election. (Kristin Borden/Patch)

ILLINOIS — The 2022 primary is Tuesday in Illinois, and the results could mean a big shakeup in the Land of Lincoln.

One of six Republicans in the governor's race will get the chance to try to unseat Gov. J.B. Pritzker in November. A large field of Democratic hopefuls — 17 of them, to be exact — look to take the place of longtime Congressman Bobby Rush in the 1st Congressional District, and they've got Republican challengers. And after a quarter-century, Secretary of State Jesse White is not seeking re-election.

Also different this time around is the date of the primary: This is the latest a primary election has been held in Illinois in nearly 100 years.

Find out what's happening in Grayslakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Despite Gubernatorial Primary, Early Voting In Illinois Has Been Slow

If you're not registered to vote, you can still register in person on election day at your polling place. If you're not sure if you're already registered, you can check online. And if you're not sure where your polling place is, you can also look that up online using your address.

Find out what's happening in Grayslakefor free with the latest updates from Patch.

On Tuesday, Illinois voters will select their candidates for statewide races, including governor, attorney general, Secretary of State, U.S. senator, U.S. representative, state senator and state representative.

Some state primary races are uncontested. No one is running against Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs in the Democratic primary, and only Tom Demmer is running in the Republican primary. Comptroller Susana Mendoza is running unopposed in the Democratic primary, and Shannon Teresi the sole candidate seeking the Republican nomination.

What's on the ballot

Here are the top contested races on the June 28 primary ballot:

  • Illinois Governor/Lieutenant Governor
  • U.S. Senate
  • Attorney General
  • Secretary of State
  • U.S. House
  • State Senate/State House

Related: These 7 Candidates Want A Rare Open Seat On The Illinois Supreme Court

The Illinois treasurer and comptroller primaries are uncontested after candidates were removed from the ballot.

Top Illinois races to watch

Illinois Governor

Democratic primary:

  • J.B. Pritzker – incumbent (Juliana Stratton, lt. governor)
  • Beverly Miles (Karla Shaw, lt. governor)

Republican primary:

  • Darren Bailey (Stephanie Trussell, lt. governor)
  • Paul Schimpf (Carolyn Schofield, lt. governor)
  • Richard Irvin (Avery Bourne, lt. governor)
  • Gary Rabine (Aaron Del Mar, lt. governor)
  • Max Solomon (Latasha H. Fields, lt. governor)
  • Jesse Sullivan (Kathleen Murphy)

Read more: These 6 Illinois Republicans Look To Unseat Gov. JB Pritzker


Attorney General

Democratic primary: Incumbent Kwame Raoul is running uncontested

Republican primary:

  • Steve Kim
  • David Shestokas
  • Thomas DeVore

Secretary of State

Democratic primary:

  • Alexi Giannoulias
  • David Moore
  • Anna Valencia
  • Sidney Moore

Republican primary:

  • Dan Brady
  • John Milhiser

U.S. Senate

Democratic primary: Incumbent Sen. Tammy Duckworth is running uncontested

Republican primary:

  • Casey Chlebek
  • Peggy Hubbard
  • Robert "Bobby" Piton
  • Jimmy Lee Tillman II
  • Anthony Williams
  • Kathy Salvi
  • Matthew Dubiel

U.S. Representatives

1st Congressional District

Democratic primary:

  • Jaqueline Collins
  • Karin Norington-Reaves
  • Jonathan Swain
  • Nykea Pippion McGriff
  • Jahmal Cole
  • Ameena Matthews
  • Charise A. Williams
  • Steven DeJoie
  • Kirby Birgans
  • Robert Palmer
  • Terre Layng Rosner
  • Michael Thompson
  • Marcus Lewis
  • Chris Butler
  • Jonathan L. Jackson
  • Cassandra Goodrum
  • Pat Dowell

Republican primary:

  • Geno Young
  • Jeffery T. Regnier
  • Philanise White
  • Eric Carlson

6th Congressional District

Democratic primary:

  • Marie Newman - incumbent
  • Sean Casten - incumbent
  • Charles Hughes

Republican primary:

  • Rob Cruz
  • Catherine O’Shea
  • Keith Pekau
  • Niki Conforti
  • Scott Kaspar
  • Gary Grasso

8th Congressional District

Democratic primary:

  • Raja Krishnamoorthi - incumbent
  • Junaid Ahmed

Republican primary:

  • Chris Dargis
  • Karen Kolodziej
  • Phillip Owen Wood
  • Peter Kopsaftis
  • Chad Koppie

11th Congressional District

Democratic primary: Incumbent Bill Foster is running uncontested.

Republican primary:

  • Cassandra Tanner Miller
  • Mark Joseph Carroll
  • Susan Hathaway-Altman
  • Catalina Lauf
  • Andrea Heeg
  • Jerry Evans


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.