Progressive Ramirez Sails in 3rd House Race
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) talks with voters Tuesday. Ramirez won the Democratic nomination in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District Tuesday night. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-Chicago) handily won Tuesday’s Democratic Primary in Illinois’ newly created 3rd Congressional District. With her win, Illinois added another Latino legislator to the U.S. House of Representatives, and Ramirez becomes the first Latina congresswoman from the Midwest.
Ramirez was elected to the Illinois General Assembly in 2018, and previously served in leadership positions for numerous organizations, including the Latin United Community Housing Association. She took a strong lead over Ald. Gilbert “Gil” Villegas (36th), her main competitor over the past few weeks.
As of early Wednesday morning, Ramirez led Villegas 66%-24% with 95% of the expected vote in.
Ramirez ran on a progressive platform and was endorsed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Sen. Bernie Sanders, Congressman Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (who currently represents a portion of the district), the Chicago Teachers Union, and the Working Families Party, among others.
She will represent the new 124.5 square mile district that runs from Western Avenue in the city and stretches west toward Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Albany Park, Portage Park, and into the suburbs out to Elmwood Park, Schiller Park, Bensenville, Elk Grove Village, Rosemont, Addison, Wheaton, Winfield, Bartlett and West Chicago.
Justin Burau was uncontested in the Republican primary. About 44% of the voting age population in the district is Latino, and President Biden won it by 41 points.