Politics
Nine Midwest contests put governor’s offices, Congress and Indiana elections post in play
Voters around the Chicago region will decide races for governor in Illinois and Wisconsin, two open Illinois congressional seats and several other posts in November. The contests include a rematch between Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Republican Darren Bailey, plus races that could affect control of the U.S. House and Senate.
Voters in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana face a slate of closely watched contests in November, including two gubernatorial elections, races for Congress and a contest for Indiana secretary of state.
The races come as both chambers of Congress and several governor’s offices are at stake nationwide. In the Chicago region, the list includes open seats created by lawmakers who pursued other offices or chose not to seek another term.
In Illinois, Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking another term against Republican Darren Bailey, the former state senator who is the party’s nominee again. Pritzker defeated Bailey by more than 500,000 votes in their previous matchup. Bailey’s running mate this time is Aaron Del Mar; Pritzker’s is Christian Mitchell. The lieutenant governor’s office is open because incumbent Juliana Stratton is running for the U.S. Senate.
The Senate race is one of the state’s highest-profile contests. Stratton won the Democratic nomination after Sen. Dick Durbin said he would not seek reelection. Her Republican opponent is Don Tracy, a former chair of the Illinois Republican Party.
Two Illinois congressional districts will also elect new representatives. In the 2nd District, Cook County Board Commissioner Donna Miller won the Democratic nomination after Rep. Robin Kelly entered the Senate race. Miller faces Republican Mike Noack, a truck driver from Bonfield who ran unopposed in his party’s primary.
In the 8th District, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s decision to run for Senate opened the seat. Former U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean is the Democratic nominee, facing entrepreneur Jennifer Davis.
The statewide contest for Illinois comptroller also has no incumbent. Democratic nominee Margaret Croke, a state representative, is running against Bryan Drew, a downstate attorney and business owner.
Wisconsin’s governor’s race is open after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers opted not to run again. Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley won the Democratic nomination and will face Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, who has represented the state’s 7th Congressional District since 2020.
Two Wisconsin House races could help determine control of Congress. In the 1st District, Republican incumbent Bryan Steil faces Democratic nominee Mitchell Berman, a registered nurse. In the 3rd District, Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden is challenged by Democrat Rebecca Cooke, a small-business owner who won her party’s primary.
Indiana voters will choose a new secretary of state after incumbent Republican Diego Morales lost his bid for renomination at the state party convention. Republican nominee Max Engling, a former staffer for U.S. Sen. Jim Banks, faces Democrat Beau Bayh, an Indianapolis attorney and Marine Corps veteran. Bayh is the son of former Indiana governor and senator Evan Bayh.
The ballot also includes Greg Ballard, the former Indianapolis mayor running for the Lincoln Party, and Libertarian nominee Lauri Shillings, an entrepreneur and professor.
Together, the races offer voters choices on state leadership and representation in Washington, while contests in Wisconsin’s 1st and 3rd districts may play a role in deciding the balance of power in the House.