WASHINGTON DC – Illinois will have one less representative to the US Congress in 2023, and after a chaotic re-mapping that Illinois Democrats controlled, the new districts are very different and purposely drawn to weaken Republican strongholds.
The process left downstate districts in confusion – and as candidates begin to notify the Federal Election Commission of their plans to run in the 2022 election, the FEC listing is showing just how this normally considered quiet "off year" election is likely to get a lot of attention.
Illinois Review is hearing rumors of various campaign entry announcements to be made next week - from new GOP entries in Congressional races to new GOP entry slates in the state's gubernatorial race.
According to current projections, analysts see Illinois coming out of the 2022 with 13 Democrat US Congressional districts, three Republican and one – the 17th CD – a toss-up.
For now, there are six persons listed on the FEC website as GOP primary candidate for US Senate: Trump supporter and data analyst Bobby Piton; Downstate former law enforcement officer Peggy Hubbard; Timothy Arview; Allison Salinas; Pastor Dr. Eric Wallace of south suburbs; and businessman Casey Chlebek. The winner of the GOP primary will face incumbent Democrat US Senator Tammy Duckworth in November 2022.
In the 6th CD, there are four Republican primary candidates listed – with another candidate, who has close ties to Trump, is expected to announce next week. Those who've announced and filed with the FEC as of January 7th include Robert Cruz; Nikki Conforti; Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau and Gary Grasso. The winner of the GOP primary will face the winner of the Democrat primary between two incumbents: Sean Casten and Marie Newman.
In the 11th CD, three Republicans have filed thus far, with another announcement expected next week. Thus far, previous candidate Catalina Lauf; Krishna Bansal and Daniel David Pierce. The winner of that race will face Democrat incumbent Bill Foster.
In the 14th CD, Democrat incumbent Lauren Underwood will be challenged by the winner of the 14th CD GOP primary now listing three candidates: businessman and activist James Lombardi, conservative businessman James Marter and radio talk show host Michael Koolidge.
The Democrats drew the 15th CD to cause a runoff between two downstate Republican Congress members: Rodney Davis and Mary Miller. Davis has a loyal following in the former 13th CD and Miller has been endorsed by President Trump after her freshman term as congresswoman for the 15th CD.
In the 16th CD, Adam Kinzinger is not seeking re-election, and thus far, only two Republicans – Michael Rebresh and Rev. Gene Koprowski – have signed into the FEC database as GOP hopefuls.
In the 17th CD, Democrat Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is leaving an open seat and there are hopes the district could be picked up by a Republican. There, former JAG officer Esther Joy King will attempt to win the district once again after narrowly losing in 2020. Seven Democrats are vying to succeed Bustos. Besides King, two other Republicans – Teresa Pfaff and Corey Allen – have listed to be 2022 primary candidates.
Neither Republican Congressman Darin La Hood (18th CD) nor Congressman Mike Bost (12th CD) have GOP primary challengers listed.
UPDATE: A LaHood representative notified us after publication of this piece that the US Rep is running in the 16th, not the 18th CD, in 2022. However, Illinois Review obtained the information we included from the FEC filings on January 7. At that time, this is what was listed:
