McLaughlin Leads Hills in Outside Poll
Rep. Marty McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills)
NOTE: This story was originally posted for subscribers only. To receive subscriber-only newsletters and content, click here.
A third party poll of a potential Republican primary race between appointed Sen. Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills) and Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills), shows a potential problem for the appointed incumbent.
Hills was chosen by Republican leaders over McLaughlin following the resignation of former Sen. Dan McConchie earlier this year.
The poll was conducted by the Countryside-based International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150, which has supported numerous GOP candidates in recent cycles, and shows McLaughlin leading Hills in a hypothetical matchup 27%-9% with 66% undecided.
McLaughlin has previously said he was still considering a run for re-election to the House, where he won by 47 votes in the closest legislative race in the state in six years, or if he would run for Senate in 2026.
Vice President Kamala Harris handily won the 26th District in 2024, and McConchie, then Senate GOP Leader, won re-election by 385 votes in 2022.
McLaughlin said Thursday night he hadn’t seen the poll. Neither Hills or the Senate Republican campaign arm responded to messages from The Illinoize Thursday.
Democrats are privately hoping Rep. Nabeela Syed (D-Palatine) jumps into the race.
