Multiple Legislative Incumbents Defeated or Trailing in Primary
Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside), a top House Democrat for financial issues, was defeated by a challenger from the left in Tuesday’s primary.
No fewer than four incumbent state lawmakers have been defeated in primaries and a handful of others are perilously close to defeat as we wait for final votes to be counted.
In one of the most shocking results of Tuesday’s primary, Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside), who was potentially in line to take over as House Majority Leader next year, was defeated by left-leaning challenger Abdelnasser Rashid.
With 95% of the expected vote in, Rashid leads by 317 votes, but Zalewski conceded Tuesday night.
“I loved this job, gave my all for the people of the district and the state, and did it the best I could,” Zalewski wrote on Facebook Tuesday night. “The voters of the district made their voices heard, and that’s democracy.”
Two House Republicans were also defeated Tuesday. Rep. David Welter (R-Morris) lost to Darren Bailey-backed challenger Jed Davis. Davis led Welter by more than 1,000 votes Wednesday with 95% of the expected vote in. Rep. Mark Luft (R-Pekin) fell to Travis Weaver, the son of former Sen. Chuck Weaver. With about 95% of the expected vote in, Weaver led Luft by a total of around 7,400 to around 4,200 votes.
Rep. Kathleen Willis (D-Addison) trails Norma Hernandez by 196 votes with 95% of the expected vote in Wednesday, meaning the race could be decided by late arriving absentee ballots.
Rep. Denyse Wang Stoneback (D-Skokie) trails Kevin Olickal by 542 votes with 95% of the expected vote in Wednesday. Appointed Sen. Eric Mattson (D-Joliet) is on his way out after being appointed to the Senate just a few weeks ago. Will County Board Member Rachel Ventura leads with around 7,200 to around 5,300 votes with 95% of expected votes in.
Some incumbents held on by a thread, though. Appointed Rep. Mike Kelly (D-Chicago) appears to be holding off progressive Michael Rabbitt. Kelly by around 700 votes with 95% of the expected vote in Wednesday. Incumbent Sen. Win Stoller (D-East Peoria) leads Dixon real estate agent Brett Nicklaus by around 500 votes with around 95% of the expected vote counted.
Rep. Sam Yingling (D-Grayslake) also lost Tuesday night, but he was running for an open Senate seat. Yingling was defeated by former Rep. Mary Edly-Allen for the 31st district Senate seat.