Hammond, Andrade Lose Primaries
Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) was defeated in the Republican primary Tuesday by Josh Higgins. Hammond was seeking her ninth full term in the House.
After more than 15 years serving in the Illinois House, Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) was soundly defeated for re-election Tuesday by a Freedom Caucus-backed insurgent who prevailed in a nasty, bitter western Illinois primary.
School board member and crop insurance salesman Josh Higgins defeated Hammond in the 94th District GOP primary Tuesday night. With 95% of votes counted as of 1:00 A.M. this morning, Higgins led Hammond with around 8,000 votes to around 4,500 votes, a margin of 58%-32%.
Hammond, the second ranking Republican in the House and close ally of House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) had a combined $450,000 spent on her behalf in the race, combined by her own coffers and the House GOP campaign arm. Higgins spent around $100,000.
In a statement after conceding the race, Hammond thanked her constituents for the opportunity to serve.
“My driving motivation while in office has been to serve the people of western Illinois. I’ve stood up for our families, communities, small business owners, students, and taxpayers,” she said in a statement. “I’ve taken on bullies like JB Pritzker, and I’ve never waivered on standing up for our rights and our values. That will not change as I close out my time in office.”
Higgins’ nomination is likely to only deepen the divide inside the House Republican caucus, where conservative House Freedom Caucus members have been warring with McCombine since her elevation to GOP Leader in 2023.
“Caucus [this week] is not going to be fun,” one GOP member texted early Wednesday morning.
In a social media post early Wednesday, Higgins thanked supporters.
“This isn’t the end of the road, it’s the beginning of what we can accomplish together,” he wrote. “Thank you for standing with us, believing in our message, and helping move our community forward.”
The race was marred by negative ads, including a House GOP funded attack ad on Higgins for a domestic violence arrest. He was never convicted in the case.
In her statement, Hammond dinged the conservative rabble rousers in the Freedom Caucus.
“I want to congratulate the Republican nominee and I hope that he remembers that our constituents deserve more than a fighter, they deserve results,” she wrote.
On Chicago’s north side, Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago), who has served in the House since 2013, was defeated by progressive Miguel Alvelo-Rivera.
With about 90% of the vote counted around 11pm, Alvelo-Rivera led Andrade with around 8,000 votes to around 6,400 votes, a 56%-44% lead.
House Democrats spent big on Andrade and progressive groups like the Chicago Teachers Union supported Alvelo-Rivera.
Appointed Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa (D-Glen Ellyn), who was appointed to replace Rep. Terra Costa Howard last year when she was appointed to a judgeship, survived a progressive challenge from DuPage County Board member Lynn LaPlante.
With around 95% of the vote counted as of about 12:30 this morning, DeLaRosa led LaPlante with around 9,000 votes to around 6,400 votes, a margin of 59% to 41%.
House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana), Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville), and Rep. Dave Severin (R-Benton) all defeated primary challengers Tuesday night.
Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) and Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) both survived primary challenges Tuesday.
