Illinois voters to decide next comptroller and secretary of state

Four Democrats vie for comptroller nomination, two Republicans battle for secretary of state primary

Mar. 18, 2026 at 1:09am

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Illinois voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to choose the Democratic nominee for state comptroller and the Republican nominee for secretary of state. In the comptroller race, state Rep. Margaret Croke, state Sen. Karina Villa, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit competed for the Democratic nod. Meanwhile, Chicagoan Walter Adamczyk and Joliet resident Diane M. Harris faced off in the GOP primary for secretary of state.

Why it matters

The comptroller's office plays a crucial role in managing the state's finances, paying bills, and guiding budget decisions. The secretary of state's office provides key public services like driver's licenses and vehicle registrations. The outcomes of these primaries will impact how these important state functions are carried out.

The details

With 44% of the estimated vote counted, Croke led the Democratic comptroller primary with 37% of the vote, followed by Villa at 33%, Kim at 22%, and Kifowit at 7%. In the Republican secretary of state primary, Adamczyk was leading Harris 54% to 46% with 14% of the estimated vote in. The offices of attorney general and treasurer are also on the primary ballots, though the Democratic incumbents are running unopposed.

  • Polls closed around 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2026.
  • About an hour after polls closed, results were reported with 44% of the estimated vote counted in the comptroller race and 14% in the secretary of state race.

The players

Margaret Croke

A state representative from Chicago's North and Near North sides who has served in the Illinois House since 2021 and chairs the House Financial Institutions and Licensing Committee.

Karina Villa

A state senator who previously served in the Illinois House in 2019 and 2020 before being elected to the state Senate in 2021.

Holly Kim

The Lake County treasurer who has served in that role since 2018 and previously served on a special banking commission overseen by the comptroller's office.

Stephanie Kifowit

A state representative who has served in the House since 2013 and has also worked as an Aurora City Council member and a financial adviser.

Walter Adamczyk

A Chicagoan who is the GOP committeeman for the city's 29th Ward and is running in the Republican primary for secretary of state.

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What they’re saying

“These political decisions of where we're putting our dollars (are) connected. How we choose to allocate them, what order we're paying the bills in and where we're finding more money to bring in to be able to fund the services that are getting slashed by the federal government, it's all connected.”

— Karina Villa, State Senator

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery Employee

What’s next

The winners of the Democratic comptroller primary and Republican secretary of state primary will advance to the November general election.

The takeaway

The outcomes of these primaries will shape how Illinois manages its finances and provides key public services in the coming years. Voters will have a chance to weigh in on the candidates' visions and qualifications for these important statewide offices.