Retired Winnebago County Judge Likely Entering Congressional Race
Recently retired Winnebago County Judge Joe McGraw will run for Congress in the 17th District, sources say. He’ll be looking to unseat freshman Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Moline).
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Multiple sources say recently retired Winnebago County Judge Joe McGraw plans to jump into the Republican primary for the 17th Congressional District, hoping to challenge freshman Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Moline) next year.
McGraw retired in July after 21 years on the bench.
We’re told an announcement could come in the next couple of weeks.
DC Republicans have had a difficult time recruiting a candidate in the race, including Sen. Neil Anderson (R-Andalusia) rejecting a personal entreaty from House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and former Rep. Dan Brady taking a pass on the race last month. Galesburg businessman Ray Estrada is the only confirmed Republican in the race, though we’re told national Republicans have questions about his electability.
Sorensen is seen as the only marginally at risk Illinois Democrat in 2024. President Biden won the district by around 8 percentage points in 2020. Hillary Clinton won it by around 6 points in 2016. Sorensen defeated Republican Esther Joy King by about 4 points last year.
McGraw did not return a message from The Illinoize Monday.
