GOP Slates 16 Candidates for Congressional, Legislative Races in Heavily Democratic Districts
The State Capitol in Springfield.
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After a judge put a new Democratic-passed law aimed at stopping political parties from slating candidates for the fall election on hold, Republicans put 16 candidates on the November ballot Monday, though most are seeking seats that are unlikely for the GOP to compete in.
Republican candidates sued after Democrats rushed through a bill stopping legislative candidates from being slated by political parties if nobody seeks a seat in a primary. A judge allowed Republicans (and Democrats, but none filed) through Monday’s original filing deadline.
The House GOP had already slated former Edwardsville Police Chief Jay Keeven in a challenge to Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) before Governor JB Pritzker signed the bill into law. That is expected to be the most competitive race of slated contests.
But, Republicans filled 16 races Monday, 14 in legislative races, none in a district President Joe Biden won by less than 20 points in 2020. It isn’t clear if the House and Senate GOP operations were behind many of the filings, but, previously, the Illinois Policy Institute has been involved in recruiting candidates in districts seen as unwinnable.
Here’s a rundown of Monday’s filings:
4th Congress- Lupe Castillo of Chicago vs. Congressman Jesus Chuy Garcia (D-Chicago) (Biden +46%)
9th Congress- Seth Cohen of Skokie vs. Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) (Biden +41%)
1st Senate- Carlos Gonzalez of Lyons vs. Sen. Javier Cervantes (D-Chicago) (Biden +51%)
13th Senate- James Kirchner of Chicago vs. Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) (Biden +79%)
31st Senate- Ashley Jensen of Winthrop Harbor vs. Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) (Biden +23%)
1st House- Camaxtle “Max” Olivo of Chicago vs. Rep. Aaron Ortiz (D-Chicago) (Biden +56%)
3rd House- Juvandy Rivera of Chicago vs. Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) (Biden +63%)
4th House- Nancy Rodriguez of Chicago vs. Rep. Lilian Jimenez (D-Chicago) (Biden +73%)
8th House- Leslie Collazo of Chicago vs. Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) (Biden +63%)
13th House- Terry Nguyen Le of Chicago vs. Rep. Hoan Huynh (D-Chicago) (Biden +77%)
19th House- John “JZ” Zimmers of Chicago vs. Rep. Lindsey LaPointe (D-Chicago) (Biden +35%)
31st House- Carl Kunz of Hickory Hills vs. Michael Crawford (D) (Biden +56%)
43rd House- Donald Puckett of Elgin vs. Rep. Anna Moeller (D-Elgin) (Biden +34%)
50th House- Teresa Alexander of North Aurora vs. Rep. Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) (Biden +36%)
53rd House- Ronald Andermann of Arlington Heights vs. OPEN (former Walker seat) (Biden +20%)
98th House- Timothy Szymankowski of Plainfield vs. Rep. Natalie Manley (D-Joliet) (Biden +25%)
One note of interest, Sen. Mark Walker (D-Arlington Heights), who was elevated from the House to Senate last month, has been appointed to the November ballot for the 27th Senate district, but remains on the ballot for the 53rd House district. Democrats will choose Walker’s House replacement tomorrow, so his withdrawal will likely come shortly after.