Illinois Sees Surge in Congressional Candidates Amid Record Retirements

The state's reliably Democratic districts have drawn nearly 60 hopefuls vying for six open seats.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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With a record number of congressional retirements in Illinois, the state is experiencing a frenzy of political activity as dozens of candidates vie for the open seats. The retirements of senior members of Congress have created rare opportunities for the Democratic party to draw a new crop of candidates, leading to spirited debates and a deluge of campaign ads and mailers. Voters, especially young people, are finding the sheer number of candidates overwhelming as they try to make informed decisions.

Why it matters

The high number of open seats in Illinois, which accounts for roughly one-quarter of all House Democratic retirements nationwide, represents a significant shift in the state's political landscape. The influx of new candidates could reshape the Democratic caucus and bring fresh perspectives, but it also poses challenges for voters trying to navigate the crowded primaries.

The details

With six House and Senate seats open in Illinois, nearly 60 Democratic candidates are vying for the nominations. The most crowded race is in the district of retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, where 15 Democrats are competing. Other open seats include those of Reps. Danny Davis, Robin Kelly, Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia. The candidates range from 20-something newcomers to lawyers and former members seeking a comeback. They have clashed over issues like funding tied to Israel and immigration enforcement.

  • Congress is on track to see record turnover this year as lawmakers forgo reelection.
  • The Illinois primary election is scheduled for March 17, 2026.

The players

Danny Davis

The 84-year-old congressman who was first elected in 1996 and is now retiring, saying it's time to remake the party in an increasingly divided political environment.

Jan Schakowsky

The retiring 14-term congresswoman whose district has drawn 15 Democratic candidates, including Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, digital creator Kat Abughazaleh, and state lawmakers.

Robin Kelly

The congresswoman who is seeking retiring Sen. Dick Durbin's Senate seat, leaving 10 Democratic candidates in her district including state lawmakers and former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.

Raja Krishnamoorthi

The congressman who is running for the Senate, leaving eight Democrats in the primary for his congressional seat, including former Rep. Melissa Bean.

Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia

The congressman whose departure has left an open congressional seat, though the Democratic primary is uncontested after Garcia's political maneuvering to get his chief of staff on the ballot.

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What they’re saying

“Having all these names and faces thrown at you and trying to remember which one is which, it's disorientating.”

— James Beatley, Voter (ksgf.com)

“Illinois is undergoing tremendous change, and you can kind of feel it. It opens up opportunities for a new generation of leadership.”

— Danny Davis, Retiring Congressman (ksgf.com)

“When there's so many candidates, overlapping opinions, it's so much harder to stand out.”

— Roberto Gomez-Valadez, Voter (ksgf.com)

“You have to get really good at answering questions in barely no time. You get really good at getting to the point.”

— Anabel Mendoza, Candidate (ksgf.com)

What’s next

Election officials say they see encouraging signs of a turnaround after 2024 saw the lowest turnout in more than 50 years, with early voting numbers already double the 2022 midterm primary and quadruple the 2018 primary.

The takeaway

The surge of open congressional seats in Illinois has created a highly competitive and crowded primary season, posing challenges for voters but also offering opportunities for a new generation of Democratic leaders to emerge. The high level of political activity and early voting turnout suggest Illinois voters are engaged and eager to shape the future of their representation in Congress.