State Senate Primaries to Watch
The floor of the Illinois Senate in 2022. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Here’s a look at the contested Senate primaries on March 17th.
6th Senate-
In today’s supercharged politics on the left, we’re told Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago), a longtime northside progressive took a challenge from her left seriously.
She is challenged by Nick Uniejewski, a “community organizer.” Uniejewski has tried to build the race as a generational change in leadership against Feigenholtz, who served in the House from 1995 until she was appointed to the Senate in 2020.
He has had a hard time gaining traction in traditional senses, though.
Uniejewski raised around $21,000 in the fourth quarter of 2025 and had around $34,000 in the bank at the start of the year. He reported $2,000 in large donations so far this year.
Feigenholtz, meanwhile, raised $175,000 in the fourth quarter of last year, and had $1.2 million cash on hand at the start of the year. She has added $17,500 in large donations this year.
9th Senate-
The race to replace outgoing Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) could be one of the most compelling primaries in the state this spring.
Attorney Rachel Ruttenberg of Evanston faces Patrick Hanley of Winnetka, described as a small business owner and “environmental leader.”
Both campaigns have launched digital ads and many Democrats in the area we’ve spoken to say it’s hard to identify a favorite in the race. Ruttenerg raised around $93k last quarter and started the year with around $145k in the bank. So far in 2026, she has raised $8k in large donations and received a $40k poll paid for by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield).
Hanley raised around $66k in the fourth quarter and finished 2025 with around $139k on hand. He has reported $9,500 in large donations so far this year.
This is widely expected to be one of the top races to watch between now and March 17.
14th Senate-
Sen. Emil Jones III (D-Chicago) was seen as desperately endangered last year while facing federal bribery charges, a rap he essentially beat at the end of 2025. He faces a challenge from attorney Ahmed Karrar of Chicago.
Jones raised around $13k in the fourth quarter of last year and started 2026 with around $162k on hand. He has reported no large donations this year.
We’re told some Senate Democrats are concerned with Jones’ lack of a campaign operation this close to the primary.
Karrar raised $75k in the fourth quarter and had around $109k on hand ad the end of 2025. He added $4,500 in large donations so far this year.
Another Democrat, Kenny Williams, is on the ballot. He filed with $0 in the bank at the end of the year.
36th Senate-
Republicans believe they have a shot, maybe not a huge shot, but a shot, at giving Sen. Mike Halpin (D-Rock Island) a run for his money in November. But the GOP primary candidates have yet to light the world on fire.
Brad Beekman of Marietta, a school board member and former State Police trooper who served on the Governor’s executive protection detail faces trucker Patrick Harlan of Galesburg.
Senate Republicans prefer Beekman over Harlan, who has made some white nationalist comments in the past that would likely be used against him in the fall.
But Beekman raised only $13k in the fourth quarter of last year and had $10k to start 2026. He has reported no large donations this year.
Harlan raised $2,800 to close last year and ended the year with $5,600 in the bank. He has added $2,500 in large donations this year.
59th Senate-
Rep. Paul Jacobs (R-Pomona) is seen as the favorite to replace outgoing Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg). He faces Franklin County Treasurer Stephen Vercellino of West Frankfort.
Jacobs raised just $1,700 in the fourth quarter of last year. He finished the year with $164k in the bank and has added $3,500 in large donations in 2026.
Vercellino has struggled to find a footing, too. He raised $250 in the fourth quarter of last year and started the year with $14,000 cash on hand. He has added a $20k loan from family so far this year.
“I think Paul will be fine,” said one top southern Illinois GOP insider, “But this has been unimpressive so far.”
