Biss, Schneider and other local Dems dominate midterms

Election Night didn’t offer much drama for north-suburban Democrats.

Candidates for U.S. Representative seats Daniel Biss and Brad Schneider won their races handily, as the Associated Press projected by 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday night.

Similarly, according to unofficial results, local state representative offices will stay blue with incumbents Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (17th District), Robyn Gabel (18th) and Tracy Katz Muhl (57th) controlling their races — all earning more than 65% of their votes with most precincts reporting. Bob Morgan (58th in Lake County) did not have an opponent.

For the State Senate’s 9th District, Winnetka resident and Democrat Patrick Hanley is safely in front of Tom Lally to represent Wilmette, Winnetka, Kenilworth, Skokie and other suburbs. Laura Fine is the district’s sitting senator who ran for in the U.S. 9th Congressional primary.

Incumbent Ill. Sen. Julie Morrison (29th) is seeing little turbulence in her race against Kate McGrath. Morrison’s district covers Northbrook through Lake Bluff, including Highland Park and Highwood.

Biss — projected to handily defeat Republican John Elleson to represent Illinois’ Congressional 9th District, a seat long held by the retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky — released a statement at 9 p.m. declaring victory. The district covers portions or all of Wilmette, Skokie, Northfield, Evanston, Glenview and more north-suburban communities.

“So here is my pledge,” he wrote in part, “my office will always be open to everyone in this district, whether they voted for me, or someone else, or not at all, to hear your concerns and deliver high-quality constituent services. And I will work with anyone, regardless of party or label, who is committed to building a better future for our families.

“It is a profound honor and responsibility to represent you in Congress, and one I will never take for granted. Now let’s get to work.”

In statewide races, Gov. J.B. Pritzker was elected to his third term, topping Darren Bailey for the second straight election. Independent Colin Corbett was also on the ballot.

The Associated Press called the governor’s race by 7 p.m. on Election Night and Pritzker with more than 61% of the vote.

U.S. Senate hopeful Juliana Stratton, the lieutenant governor, is projected to win the Senate seat long held by Dick Durbin, who retired after nearly 30 years in office.

Kwame Raoul won another term as attorney general, beating Robert Fioretti, while incumbent Alexi Giannoulias, also a candidate for mayor of Chicago, won the race for secretary of state.

(Updated voting results will be added on Wednesday, Nov. 4)

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.