A crowded field of 21 candidates hoping to win 1st District Rep. Bobby Rush’s seat in Congress tops a list of Southland races to watch in the June 28 primary election.
Candidates had to file paperwork by 5 p.m. Monday. Challenges to nominating petitions are likely to knock several contenders out of the running in coming weeks.
Rush’s decision to not seek another term after 30 years representing a district that extends from Chicago’s South Side through southwest suburbs to Elwood drew 16 Democrats and five Republicans into the contest.
Bettors handicapping the race would likely say front-runners include Chicago 3rd Ward Ald. Pat Dowell, state Sen. Jacqueline Collins of Chicago and Jonathan Jackson, son of the Rev. Jesse Jackson. Rush has endorsed Karin Norington-Reaves of Chicago, CEO of Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.
Suburban Democrats in the running are Marcus Lewis of Matteson, Ameena Matthews of Tinley Park, Terre Layng Rosner of Frankfort and Howard Spiller of Oak Lawn.
Other Chicago Democrats who filed are Chris Butler, Jahmal Cole, Cassandra Goodrum, Nykea Pippion McGriff, Darius “Dee” Nix, Stephanie Rose Spaulding, Jonathan Swain and Charise Williams.
Five Republicans who filed are Eric Carlson of Lemont, Jeffrey Regnier of Manhattan, and Matthew “Matto” O’Keefe, Robert Palmer, Michael Thompson, Philanise White and Geno Young, all of Chicago.
Most Southland residents who previously voted in the 3rd Congressional District are now in the newly redrawn 6th District that pits incumbent Reps. Sean Casten of Downers Grove and Marie Newman of La Grange against each other in the Democratic primary. The new district extends from Chicago’s Southwest Side through southwest Cook County and into DuPage County.
Six Republicans who filed in the newly competitive contest are Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn, ousted Oak Lawn school board member Rob Cruz, Burr Ridge Mayor Gary Grasso, Scott Kaspar of Orland Park, Catherine O’Shea of Oak Lawn and Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau.
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Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson faces a Democratic primary challenge from Toni C. Brown of Chicago Heights in the 2nd Congressional District. Two Republicans filing are Shane Cultra of Onarga and Ashley Ramos of Bradley.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Hoffman Estates is expected to be a shoo-in for a second six-year term. Potential Republican challengers who filed are Anthony Williams of Dolton, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago, Maryann Mahlen of Orland Park, Casey Chlebek of Lake Forest and Peggy Hubbard of Belleville.
Incumbent Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Julianna Stratton, both of Chicago, filed for a second term. They face a potential primary challenge from Beverly Miles and Karla Shaw, both of Chicago.
The field of Republican challengers includes candidates from the Southland. Brett Mahler of Orland Park and Emily Johnson of Wheaton are running, as are Max Solomon of Hazel Crest and Latasha Fields of Chicago. Keisha Smith of Country Club Hills filed as a Republican for governor with no running mate.
They join a crowded field that includes Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin and Avery Bourne of Morrisonville; Darren Bailey of Xenia and Stephanie Trussell of Chicago; Gary Rabine of Bull Valley and Aaron Del Mar of Palatine; Paul Schimpf of Waterloo and Carolyn Schofield of Crystal Lake; and Jesse Sullivan of Petersburg and Kathleen Murphy of Warrenville.
Democrat Kwame Raoul of Chicago seeks another term as attorney general. His potential Republican challengers include David Shestokas of Orland Park. Democrats Alexi Giannoulias and Anna Valencia of Chicago are considered front-runners to succeed Jesse White as secretary of state. Challengers in the Democratic primary include Sidney Moore of Homewood.
Numerous state legislators serving the Southland face potential challengers. Incumbent state Sen. Michael Hastings, D-Frankfort, who dropped his bid for secretary of state, could face Republican Patrick Sheehan of Lockport for the 19th District seat in November.
Bridgeview Mayor Steve Landek, who also is Democratic state senator for the 12th District, filed for the redrawn 11th District. He faces a potential primary challenge from his chief of staff, Mike Porfirio.
Landek’s appointment to the senate seat was tied to the criminal investigation of former House Speaker Michael Madigan, the baiduhai reported, though Landek has not been charged.
Porfirio also is a Lyons Township trustee and former township clerk, chair of the Justice-Willow Springs Water Commission and teaches political science at Moraine Valley Community College.
In the state Senate 40th District, incumbent Patrick Joyce, D-Reddick, could face the winner of a Republican primary contest between Philip Nagel of Braidwood and Krystyna Vela of Frankfort.
Incumbent Chicago Democratic state Sens. Bill Cunningham (18th), Emil Jones III (14th) and Elgie Sims Jr. (17th) are unopposed. State Reps. Marcus C. Evans Jr., D-Chicago (33rd), Tim Ozinga, R-Mokena (37th), Anthony DeLuca, D-Chicago Heights (80th) and Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs (82nd) are unopposed in their districts.
Incumbent 27th District state Rep. Justin Slaughter of Chicago faces a Democratic primary challenge from Jasimone Ward of Alsip. In the 28th District, Paris Walker Thomas of Chicago is challenging incumbent state Rep. Bob Rita of Blue Island in the Democratic primary.
Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones faces a potential Democratic primary challenge from Calumet City 2nd Ward Ald. Monet Wilson for the 29th District state representative seat. In the 30th District, incumbent state Rep. Will Davis, D-Homewood, is challenged Bradley Alton of Riverdale in the Democratic primary and potentially in November by Republican Patricia Bonk of Midlothian.
In the 31st District, Republican Kenneth Yerkes of Oak Lawn has tossed his hat in the ring against incumbent state Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago. In the 32nd, incumbent state Rep. Cyril Nichols, D-Chicago, faces primary challenges from Democrats Bobby Joe Johnson of Chicago and Safaa Zarzour of Bridgeview. Republican Carl Kunz of Hickory Hills also filed.
Incumbent state Rep. Nicholas K. Smith, D-Chicago, filed for the 34th District seat, as did Republicans Rebecca Harms of Kankakee and Frederick Walls of Crete. In the 35th District, incumbent state Rep. Frances Ann Hurley, D-Chicago, faces a primary challenge from Democrat David Dewar of Chicago. Republican Herb Hebein of Chicago also filed.
Democratic Evergreen Park Mayor Kelly M. Burke seeks another term as state representative for the 36th District. Republicans David Sheppard of Evergreen Park and Robbie Katherine Segina of Oak Lawn filed.
Democratic state Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin of Olympia Fields faces a potential November challenge from Republican Tom Toolis of Frankfort. Democrat Erin Slone of Park Forest filed in the 79th District, which is represented by state Rep. Jackie Haas, R-Kankakee.
In Cook County, five Democrats filed for the 5th District county board seat being vacated by Commissioner Deborah Sims. They are Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry, Prairie State College Trustee Monica Gordon of Chicago Heights, Jaylin McClinton of Chicago, Jason Decker of Midlothian and Kierra Williams of Chicago.
Incumbent Democratic Cook County Board members Stanley Moore of Chicago (4th) and Donna Miller of Lynwood (6th) are unopposed.
In the Cook County Board 17th District, incumbent Sean Morrison of Palos Park faces a Republican primary challenge from former board member Liz Gorman of Orland Park. Democrats Lou Gale of La Grange and Daniel T. Calandriello of Orland Park also filed.
A crowded race of familiar names filed for the Thornton Township Democratic committeeman post vacated when township Supervisor Frank Zuccarelli died in January.
The field of hopefuls includes state Sen. Napoleon Harris of Harvey; Jones, the Calumet City mayor; Phoenix Mayor Terry Wells, who succeeded Zuccarelli as chair of the South Suburban College board; Kenneth Williams of Riverdale; and Troy O’Quin of Homewood.
Several candidates filed for seats on the board that oversees the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, including Yumeka Brown, village clerk of Matteson.
Ted Slowik is a columnist at the Daily Southtown.
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