Illinois Democrats are looking to defend statewide congressional seats

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Democrats in statewide congressional races hope to fend off challenges from Republicans fighting to maintain their party’s control of the U.S. House.

The state’s most competitive races involve two first-term representatives seeking re-election. Rep. Eric Sorensen faces Republican Joe McGraw in the 17th Congressional District, while Rep. Nikki Budzinski is being challenged by Republican Joshua Loyd in the 13th.

Already, Democrats are leading the way in fundraising and have a political map that favors the holders. Hoping to increase voter turnout, leaders from blue state also put before voters three non-binding advisory questions on the property tax exemption, IVF insurance coverage and election worker interference.

Here’s a closer look at the competitive races in Illinois USA.

District 17

The showdown in the sprawling “C-shaped” district of northwestern Illinois is expected to be the most competitive in the state.

Covering union-heavy manufacturing areas and college towns, the territory leans Democratic. But it also has pockets of farmland that tend to be conservative.

Sorensen, a former television meteorologist, he was first elected to office in 2022. The 48-year-old had support from unions and farmers and dominated fundraising. According to Federal Election Commission data, he has more than $4.5 million in total contributions, compared to McGraw’s roughly $1.3 million.

On the campaign trail, Sorensen tried to appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. Often promoting his weather expertise, he advocates for green energy and ways to fight climate change. At the same time, he notes that he was one of four Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee to support a new farm bill earlier this year.

“I’m going to do everything we can do to get across the aisle,” he said at a campaign event at a family farm near the Quad Cities, where surrounding neighbors held signs in support of his opponent McGraw.

A former Rockford judge and prosecutor, McGraw says Sorensen is not a good fit for the district and has voiced his views on climate change and his support for LGBTQ+ rights. Sorensen is openly gay.

“People are ready for change,” McGraw, 69, said at a fundraiser in Rockford. “He is a climate extremist. He engages in any awakened agenda.”

McGraw, who says Democrats are too soft on crime, has touted the support of law enforcement and national Republican groups, including the Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program, which mentors and supports candidates in national races .

District 13

Budzinski, 47, is hoping for a second term in the narrow, Democratic-leaning district that cuts through central Illinois from the St. Louis to Champaign and includes college towns and farming communities.

She says one of her biggest accomplishments as a congresswoman was helping secure a $51 million federal grant for an agricultural technology center run by the University of Illinois.

“People really want their elected officials to find solutions, not create more political noise,” said Budzinski, who is up for first term in 2022.

A former senior adviser to Gov. JB Pritzker and union activist, Budzinksi has far surpassed Loyd in fundraising. She raised about $4 million in total contributions, compared to Loyd’s roughly $76,000, according to Federal Election Commission filings.

But Budzinski’s opponent, 26, says he only recently started fundraising and is campaigning full-time now.

Loyd says Budzinski could do more to help voters. A graduate of the West Point military academy, he says he struggled to get veterans benefits after he was medically discharged and elected leaders didn’t help him.

He says making sure veterans get their legal benefits is among his top priorities.

“I’ve continually put myself out there for the community, for the state, for the country,” he said. “And I have no intention of stopping.”

Another candidate could also affect support for Budzinski.

Green Party candidate Chibuihe Asonye, ​​director of residence at the U of I, failed to get enough signatures to qualify as a third-party candidate on the November ballot, but is running as a candidate. She tried to appeal to young voters and campaigned in the district with Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

Other races to watch

Two other incumbent Democratic races — both in the Chicago area — have been subject to spirited challenges from Republicans.

Rep. Sean Casten he faces Republican Niki Conforti, who says Casten is too liberal for the largely suburban 6th District. Casten says he has provided extensive services to constituents.

A scientist and businessman turned politician, Casten first won office in 2018 when he overturned a longtime Republican territory and unseated a six-term incumbent. The redrawn district now leans Democratic and is comprised of communities southwest of Chicago along the South Side neighborhoods.

West of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood is seeking a fourth term in District 14. Her opponent is Jim Marter, a software consultant and former chairman of the Kendall County Republican Party.

Underwood was elected for the first time in 2018unseating a four-term Republican and becoming the youngest black woman to join the US House. She previously worked as a nurse.

Reproductive rights was one of the main issues in the district that includes western suburbs and rural communities. Underwood said she fully supports abortion rights, while Marter opposes abortion without exception.