Large Congressional Fields Could Lead to "Chaos" Next Spring
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, one of 11 Democrats seeking the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.
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Three open congressional seats and the possibility of a fourth have led to growing fields that some political experts predict could cause “chaos” primary races next spring.
In the 2nd Congressional District, being vacated by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), six Democrats so far have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to seek the seat.
The most notable is Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago), who is seeking to represent the district which stretches from the south side of Chicago all the way south to Danville and Rantoul.
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Yumeka Brown of Chicago has also filed paperwork to seek the seat.
Jeremy Young, founder of the Young Innovators program at the University of Chicago, has filed paperwork to run. Businessman and entrepreneur Eric France of Chicago, and Adal Regis, a staffer at an environmental non-profit, have all filed paperwork to seek the seat.
In the 8th Congressional District in the northwest suburbs, being vacated by Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg), eight Democrats have filed FEC paperwork to seek the seat. Most notable is Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison. Attorney and veteran Dan Tully has also recently announced his candidacy. One Republican, Mark Rice, who lost a run for the seat in 2024, has also filed to seek the seat, but we reported recently that former convicted Trump campaign staffer George Papadopoulos was planning to seek the seat.
So far, ten Democrats have filed paperwork to run for the open 9th Congressional seat in the northern suburbs, being vacated by Congresswoman Jan Schackowsky (D-Evanston).
Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, a former state lawmaker and 2018 candidate for Governor, is widely seen as a favorite in the race. Rep. Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago) and Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) have also announced they’re in the race, as has Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala. Kat Abughazaleh, who has garnered significant media attention, has stayed in the race after Schakowsky dropped out.
Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), who is midterm, also launched a primary campaign for he race. Former FBI agent Phil Andrew also jumped in the race this week.
“If you have a ten way race for congress, someone could realistically win the race with under 20-percent of the vote,” said one Democratic operative who is not affiliated with any of the 9th District candidates. “You’re just inviting chaos.”
Five Democrats have filed paperwork in the 7th Congressional District, though the challengers may be in a holding pattern until Congressman Danny Davis (D-Chicago) decides his future plans. That’s the case for Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), who filed paperwork to seek the seat but has reportedly said he won’t challenge Davis.
The only major Republican primary is in the western suburbs where five Republicans are seeking to face Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville.) Elburn Mayor Jeff Walker and retired Army officer Michael Pierce are top contenders in the primary thus far.
