Doris Turner Challenger Emerges Setting Up Top 2026 Senate Race
Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) (Photo: State Journal-Register)
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Sen. Doris Turner’s (D-Springfield) 1,400 vote win over then-Rep. Sandy Hamilton came after the most expensive legislative race in state history, with over $6 million spent in the Springfield-to-Decatur district.
It appears Republicans are prepared to mount another serious challenge to Turner in 2026.
Multiple sources tell The Illinoize Republican Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko will formally announce his challenge to Turner next Tuesday. We reported last month Senate Republicans had approached Lesko to challenge Turner.
Lesko, a former Springfield Alderman, served two full terms as Springfield City Clerk. He won re-election in 2023 and challenged Democratic Sangamon County Recorder Josh Langfelder last year.
Sangamon County Recorder Frank Lesko
Lesko won the Recorder’s job, mostly on a plank of eliminating the office, by 31 votes last November. A referendum to eliminate the office passed this spring.
“Frank is not your traditional candidate, but the guy just wins,” said a Sangamon County GOP insider Thursday. “He beat a hand-picked Democrat for City Clerk, and he beat a member of a political family dynasty in 2024. Doris Turner had better watch out.”
Lesko did not return a message from The Illinoize Thursday.
Turner was appointed to replace former Sen. Andy Manar in 2021 and won a full term in the race against Hamilton in 2022.
Turner begins the third quarter of the year with over $500,000 cash on hand, while Lesko has around $8,000 in the bank. It is expected to be a top pickup opportunity for Republicans and a top priority to hold for Democrats.
Kamala Harris won the district by a little over a point last year. Governor Pritzker won it by about 4 points in 2022.
Turner did not return a message seeking comment.
