Three Incumbent Legislators on Upset Watch
Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago), one legislator on “upset watch” Tuesday.
As voters head to the polls Tuesday, at least three incumbent state lawmakers are on upset watch.
Rep. Jaime Andrade (D-Chicago), who has served in the House in 2013, has been locked in an expensive and nasty primary with progressive Miguel Alvelo-Rivera. Each has attempted to tie the other to Donald Trump or projected them as supporters of the administration’s immigration actions in the city last year. Both House Democrats and progressive groups like the Chicago Teacher’s Union have spent big money on the race.
We’ve been told some progressive group polls show Alvelo-Rivera in the lead.
Rep. Margaret DeLaRosa (D-Glen Ellyn) was appointed in October to replace former Rep. Terra Costa Howard, who was appointed judge. DeLaRosa is facing a challenge from DuPage County Board member Lynn LaPlante, who is running from the left.
This is another race where union dollars are helping push the challenger across the finish line.
And the most watched Republican primary shows a “super close” race between longtime Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) and Freedom Caucus-backed insurgent Josh Higgins, a school board member and seed salesman.
Hammond has buried Higgins in spending in the race, by more than 4-to-1, but much of the district is new to her after the 2021 remap and she hasn’t faced a serious primary in years. House Republicans have also been under the gun for some of their tactics in the race, including an attack over a domestic violence arrest that some Republicans believe backfired on Hammond.
No matter who wins the Hammond and Higgins race, many Republicans believe it could further divide an already fractured Republican caucus where Freedom Caucus members have been gunning for House GOP Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) for some time.
