Illinois Democrats look to defend congressional seats across the state
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[November 05, 2024]
By SOPHIA TAREEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois Democrats in congressional races across the
state hope to fend off challenges from Republicans fighting to keep
their party's control of the U.S. House.
The state's most competitive races involve two first-term
representatives seeking reelection. Rep. Eric Sorensen is facing
Republican Joe McGraw in the 17th Congressional District, while Rep.
Nikki Budzinski is being challenged by Republican Joshua Loyd in the
13th District.
Already, Democrats are leading in fundraising and have a political map
that favors incumbents. In hopes of boosting turnout, leaders in the
blue state also put before voters three non-binding advisory questions
on property tax relief, insurance coverage of in vitro fertilization and
election worker interference.
Here’s a closer look at Illinois' competitive U.S. House races.
17th District
The matchup in the sprawling “C-shaped” northwest Illinois district 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 features pockets of farmland,
which trend conservative.
Sorensen, a former television meteorologist, was first elected to office
in 2022. The 48-year-old had backing from unions and farmers and has
dominated in 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 has tried to appeal to both Democrats
and Republicans. Often touting his background in weather, he's advocated
for green energy and ways to fight climate change. At the same time he
notes he was one of only four Democrats on the House Agriculture
Committee who backed a new farm bill earlier this year.
“I am going to do whatever we can do to cross the aisle,” he said at a
campaign event at a family farm near the Quad Cities, where surrounding
neighbors had signs in support of his opponent McGraw.
A former judge and prosecutor from Rockford, McGraw says Sorensen isn’t
the right fit for the district, calling out 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’s a climate extremist. He’s committed to every woke
agenda.”
McGraw, who says Democrats are too soft on crime, has touted support
from law enforcement groups and national Republican groups, including
the National Republican Congressional Committee’s “Young Guns” program,
which mentors and supports candidates in races nationwide.
13th District
Budzinski, 47, is hoping for a second term in the narrow,
Democrat-leaning district that cuts through central Illinois from the
St. Louis area to Champaign and includes college towns and agricultural
communities.
She says one of her biggest accomplishments as a congresswoman was
helping secure a $51 million federal grant for an agricultural tech hub
run by the University of Illinois.
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Congressman Eric Sorensen, right, talks with Denny Van Daele as he
joins Rock Island County farmers and Illinois Farm Bureau leaders at
a family farm in Taylor Ridge, Ill., Monday, Oct. 14, 2024. They
discussed the status of the farm bill, the effects of severe weather
on farms, and Sorensen's efforts on behalf of Illinois producers.
(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
“People really want their elected officials to find solutions, not
create more political noise,” said Budzinski, who was first elected
in 2022.
Once a senior adviser to Gov. JB Pritzker and a labor union
activist, Budzinksi has also vastly overtaken Loyd in fundraising.
She's raised roughly $4 million in total contributions, compared to
Loyd's about $76,000, according to Federal Election Commission
filings.
But Budzinski's 26-year-old challenger says he only recently started
fundraising and is campaigning full time now.
Loyd says Budzinski could do more to help constituents. A graduate
of West Point military academy, he says he struggled to get veterans
benefits after being medically discharged from the military and
elected leaders didn't help him.
He says ensuring veterans get their entitled benefits is among his
top priorities.
“I have continuously put myself out there for the community, for the
state, for the country,” he said. “And I do not have any intentions
to stop.”
Another candidate could also impact support for Budzinski.
Green Party candidate Chibuihe Asonye, a residence hall director at
the U of I, failed to get enough signatures to qualify as a
third-party candidate for the November ballot, but is running as a
write-in. She's 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 Democrats' races — both in the Chicago area —
have seen spirited challenges from Republicans.
Rep. Sean Casten faces Republican Niki Conforti, who claims Casten
is too liberal for the largely suburban 6th District. Casten says
he’s provided extensive constituent services.
A scientist and businessman-turned politician, Casten first won
office in 2018 when he flipped a longtime Republican territory and
ousted a six-term incumbent. The redrawn district now leans Democrat
and is comprised of communities southwest of Chicago along
neighborhoods on its South Side.
West of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood is seeking a fourth term
in the 14th District. Her opponent is Jim Marter, a software
consultant and former chairman of the Republican Party of Kendall
County.
Underwood was first elected in 2018, unseating a four-term
Republican and becoming the youngest Black woman to join the U.S.
House. She previously worked as a nurse.
Reproductive rights has been one of the main issues in the district
that includes western suburbs and rural communities. Underwood has
said she fully supports abortion rights while Marter opposes
abortion without exception.
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