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Your guide to the March 2026 primary in DuPage County

Your guide to finding who is running, links to candidate questionnaires and more

An American flag waves in front of a polling place during a 2021 election.

This St. Patrick’s Day, DuPage County voters can head to the polls in addition to sampling a green beer.

March 17 marks the 2026 primary, where voters can pull a Democratic or Republican ballot to pick who appears on the ballot come November. All voters, partisan or not, can weigh in on referendum questions.

Who has filed and how can I learn more about them?

Illinois governor and lieutenant governor

Incumbent JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. He has named Christian Mitchell as his running mate after Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton announced her intention to run for the U.S. Senate.

Conservative research group Wirepoints president Ted Dabrowski, DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick, former state Sen. Darren Bailey and Gold Rush Gaming owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills have filed as Republicans.

The only other Democrat to file, Patricia L. Tillman of Chicago, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection, as was Republicans Gregg Moore of Broadview and Joseph Severino of Lake Forest. Republican Max Solomon of Hazel Crest withdrew his candidacy.

· Ted Dabrowski’s candidate questionnaire.

· Coverage: “‘More listening and less talking’: Darren Bailey insists results will be different in 2nd run for governor”

· Coverage: “GOP governor candidates in McHenry say abolishing TRUST Act would end need for ICE raids”

· Coverage: “Conservative policy wonk Ted Dabrowski gets off sidelines with run for governor”

· Coverage: “Few fireworks as Illinois GOP governor hopefuls share stage for first time”

· Coverage: “Bailey talks Bears stadium as GOP gubernatorial candidates pile on Pritzker”

· Coverage: “Bailey talks faith, family, future at Sterling campaign stop”

· Coverage: “Bailey proposes ‘Illinois DOGE’ as Republican governor’s race focuses on spending”

· Coverage: “Taxes, sanctuary status and electability key issues in GOP gubernatorial joust”

Illinois attorney general

Incumbent Kwame Raoul, a Democrat, has filed to run for another term. Former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti has filed to run as a Republican.

Republican Andy Williams Jr. of Darien was removed from the ballot following a successful objection and has since filed as a write-in candidate. JoAnne Guillemette of Chicago withdrew after an objection was filed.

· Andy Williams Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.

Illinois secretary of state

Alexi Giannoulias, an incumbent Democrat, has filed to run for reelection. Walter Adamczyk of Chicago and Joliet Junior College Trustee Diane M. Harris filed to run as Republicans.

· Walter Adamczyk’s candidate questionnaire.

· Diane Harris’ candidate questionnaire.

Illinois comptroller

Incumbent Susana Mendoza, a Democrat, is not running again. State Sen. Karina Villa of West Chicago, Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim of Mundelein, state Rep. Margaret Croke of Chicago and state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego have filed to run as Democrats and Bryan Drew of Benton as a Republican.

Champaign County Auditor George Danos, a Democrat, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

· Holly Kim’s candidate questionnaire.

· Margaret Croke’s candidate questionnaire.

· Stephanie Kifowit’s candidate questionnaire.

· Coverage: “4 Democrats seeking to replace Mendoza as Illinois comptroller”

· Coverage: “Democratic comptroller candidates make push for why they’re voters’ best option”

Illinois treasurer

Incumbent Michael Frerichs, a Democrat, has filed to run for a fourth term. Max Solomon filed as a write-in candidate on the Republican side.

U.S. Senate

Incumbent Dick Durbin, a Democrat, is not seeking reelection.

Casey Chlebek, former Illinois Republican Party Chair Don Tracy, R. Cary Capparelli of Chicago, Pamela Denise Long of Edwardsville, Jimmy Lee Tillman II of Chicago and Jeannie Evans of Chicago have filed to run as Republicans.

Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg, Kevin Ryan of Chicago, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Lynwood, Steve Botsford Jr. of Chicago, Jonathan Dean of Chicago, Sean Brown of Orland Park, Bryan Maxwell of Urbana, Awisi A. Bustos of Springfield and Christopher A. Swann of Chicago as Democrats. Independents Tyrone Muhammad and Austin J. Mink have also said they are running.

Democrats Adam Delgado of Chicago, Anthony Williams of Dolton and Jump Shepherd of North Riverside were removed from the ballot following successful objections as was CaSándra Claiborne of Chicago. Democrat Robert Palmer of Chicago and Republican John Goodman of Des Plaines withdrew as candidates.

· Don Tracy’s candidate questionnaire.

· R. Cary Capparelli’s candidate questionnaire.

· Pamela Denise Long’s candidate questionnaire.

· Raja Krishnamoorthi’s candidate questionnaire.

· Robin Kelly’s candidate questionnaire.

· Steve Botsford Jr.’s candidate questionnaire.

· Jonathan Dean’s candidate questionnaire.

· Bryan Maxwell’s candidate questionnaire.

· Coverage: “Democratic Senate candidates clash on donations, opine on extraterrestrial controversy"

· Coverage: “GOP Senate candidates offer contrasting solutions to rising costs and economic challenges”

· Coverage: “Ukraine support key for GOP Senate candidates despite cost concerns”

· Coverage: “Illinois GOP Senate candidates take stage in first major debate”

U.S. House of Representatives

All 17 members of Congress representing Illinois are up in 2026. To find what district you live in, go to congress.gov/members/find-your-member.

District 3: Delia Ramirez, a Democrat representing parts of Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. Angel Oakley of Wheaton filed to run as a Republican. Republican Spomenka Vajic of Chicago and Democrat Mark John Pasieka Sr. of Chicago were removed from the ballot following successful objections.

District 4: Incumbent Jesus “Chuy” Garcia, a Democrat representing parts of Cook and DuPage counties, filed to run for reelection but then withdrew his candidacy. Lupe Castillo of Chicago has filed to run as a Republican, Ed Hershey of Chicago for the Working Class Party and Garcia’s chief of staff, Patty Garcia of Cicero, as a Democrat.

District 6: Sean Casten, a Democrat representing parts of Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich of Chicago also filed to run as a Democrat and Niki Conforti’s of Glen Ellyn and Skylar Duensing of Shorewood have filed to run as Republicans.

· Sean Casten’s candidate questionnaire.

· Niki Conforti’s candidate questionnaire.

· Skylar Duensing’s candidate questionnaire.

· Coverage: “Completely close the border? GOP candidates in 6th Congressional District differ on immigration”

· Coverage: “What’s the top issue facing Illinois’ 6th Congressional District? Casten, challengers disagree”

District 8: Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat representing parts of Cook, DuPage and Kane counties, is not seeking reelection and instead running for the U.S. Senate. Neil Khot of Hoffman Estates, Kevin B. Morrison of Mount Prospect, Junaid Ahmed of South Barrington, Ryan Vetticad of South Barrington, Melissa L. Bean of Barrington, Yasmeen Bankole of Hanover Park, Dan Tully of Carol Stream and Sanjyot Dunnug of Des Plaines have filed as Democrats. Mark Rice of Arlington Heights, Jennifer Davis of Huntley, Kevin Ake of Elk Grove Village and Herbert Hebein of Chicago have filed as Republicans.

· Neil Khot’s candidate questionnaire.

· Junaid Ahmed‘s candidate questionnaire.

· Yasmeen Bankole‘s candidate questionnaire.

· Dan Tully’s candidate questionnaire.

· Sanjyot Dunung’s candidate questionnaire.

· Mark Rice’s candidate questionnaire.

· Coverage: “8th Congressional District GOP hopefuls debate U.S. immigration policies”

· Coverage: “8th Congressional District Democratic candidates debate U.S. policy in Israel and Gaza”

District 11: Bill Foster, a Democrat representing parts of Boone, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will, has filed to run for reelection. Elburn Village President Jeff Walter, Michael Pierce of Naperville and Charlie Kim of Aurora have filed as Republicans. Tedora Brown of Palos Park was initially removed from the ballot but an appeals court ordered she be added to the ballot after early voting started in some counties.

· Jeff Walter’s candidate questionnaire.

· Coverage: “GOP congressional candidates express doubts about Biden’s 2020 White House win”

Illinois State Senate

Like its federal counterpart, only some of its members are up for reelection this year. In northern Illinois, that includes:

District 21: Laura Ellman, a Democrat representing DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Julie Berkowicz of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.

· Julie Berkowicz’s candidate questionnaire.

District 23: Suzy Glowiak Hilton, a Democrat representing DuPage and Cook counties, has filed to run for reelection. Linda Z. Polacek of Lombard filed to run as a Republican

District 24: Seth Lewis, a Republican representing DuPage and Cook counties, has filed to run for reelection. Benjamin “Ben” McAdams of Bloomingdale has filed as a Democrat.

· Ben McAdams’ candidate questionnaire.

District 33: Don DeWitte, a Republican representing Kane, DuPage and McHenry counties, is not running for reelection. Michele Clark of Algonquin filed to run as a Democrat and Danielle Penman of St. Charles and Jessica Breugelmans of Geneva as Republicans. Satnaam Singh Mago, a Democrat from Wayne, withdrew his candidacy, and Cody Holt, a Republican from Elgin, was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

District 39: Don Harmon, a Democrat representing DuPage and Cook counties, has filed to run for reelection.

District 41: Senate Minority Leader John F. Curran, a Republican representing Cook, DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection.

District 42: Linda Holmes, a Democrat representing DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Edgardo “Eddie” Perez of Aurora filed as a Republican. Democrat Justin H.S. Breaux of Aurora was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Illinois House of Representatives

All state representative seats are up every two years. Among some of the races in northern Illinois:

District 7: Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, a Democrat representing Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. Anabel Mendoza has filed to run as a Democrat.

District 41: Janet Yang Rohr, a Democrat representing DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ajay Gupta of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.

District 42: Terra Costa Howard, a Democrat representing DuPage County, is running for reelection. Margaret A. DeLaRosa of Glen Ellyn and Lynn LaPlante of Glen Ellyn have also filed as Democrats and Stephanie W. Trussell of Lisle filed as a Republican.

· Margaret DeLaRosa’s candidate questionnaire.

· Lynn LaPlante’s candidate questionnaire.

District 45: Martha “Marti” Deuter, a Democrat representing Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. Gina Parrilli of Westmont has filed to run as a Republican.

District 46: Diane Blair Sherlock, a Democrat representing DuPage County, has filed to run for reelection. Pedro Jovany Mendoza of Villa Park filed to run as a Republican.

· Diane Blair Sherlock’s candidate questionnaire.

District 47: Amy L. Grant, a Republican representing DuPage County, is not running for reelection. Robert A. Vrankovich of Carol Stream has filed to run as a Republican and Erica Bray-Parker as a Democrat.

District 48: Jennifer Sanalitro, a Republican representing Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. Amanda Zahorak of Itasca has filed to run as a Democrat.

District 49: Maura Hirschauer, a Democrat representing Cook, Kane and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. John Paul Augustynowicz of Warrenville has filed as a Republican.

District 50: Barbara Hernandez, a Democrat representing Kane and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection.

District 56: Michelle Mussman, a Democrat representing Cook and DuPage counties, is running for reelection. Edward “Ed” Lapinski of Des Plaines filed to run as a Republican. Fellow Republican Peter R. Dombrowski of Schaumburg was removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

District 65: Dan Ugaste, a Republican representing DuPage and Kane counties, has filed to run for reelection. Ricky Rivard of St. Charles has filed to run as a Democrat.

· Ricky Rivard’s candidate questionnaire.

District 77: Norma Hernandez, a Democrat representing Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection. Anthony Airdo of Melrose Park has filed to run as a Republican.

District 81: Anne Stava, a Democrat representing DuPage County, has filed to run for reelection. Laura Hois of Downers Grove filed as a Republican.

District 82: Nicole La Ha, a Republican representing Cook and DuPage counties, has filed to run for reelection.

District 84: Stephanie A. Kifowit, a Democrat representing DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties, is not running for reelection as she is running for comptroller. Saba Haider and Jared Ploger, both of Aurora, have filed to run as Democrats and Brian Scopa of Naperville has filed to run as a Republican.

· Saba Haider’s candidate questionnaire.

· Jared Ploger’s candidate questionnaire.

District 85: Dagmara “Dee” Avelar, a Democrat representing DuPage and Will counties, has filed to run for reelection. Chris Metcalfe of Bolingbrook has filed as a Republican.

What about the DuPage County Board and other county seats?

Also on the ballot will be County Board members, county clerks, treasurers, sheriffs, assessors, and regional superintendents. Some counties also elect their Boards of Review, sanitary districts, and forest preserve district commissioners and president

Coverage: “Cook County Board president and assessor primaries among races to watch Tuesday”

DuPage County Board Chairperson: Incumbent Deb Conroy filed as a Democrat and challenger Gary Grasso as a Republican.

Sheriff: Incumbent Sheriff James Mendrick, a Republican, is not seeking reelection as he is running for governor. Peter Joseph Coolidge filed as a Democrat and Edmond (Eddie) Moore and Sean T. Noonan as Republicans.

Robert Carroll withdrew as a Democrat from the race on Feb. 5.

· Coverage: “DuPage sheriff’s hopeful vows to continue campaign amid investigation, administrative leave”

· Coverage: “DuPage sheriff candidate cleared of wrongdoing by department”

· Coverage: “Oak Brook police release details about crash involving DuPage County undersheriff”

County Clerk: Incumbent Jean Kaczmarek, a Democrat, is seeking reelection. Paula Deacon Garcia has also filed as a Democrat and Patricia Kladis-Schiappa filed as a Republican.

County Treasurer: Incumbent Gwen Henry, a Republican, is seeking reelection. Yeena Yoo filed to run as a Democrat.

Regional Superintendent of Schools: Incumbent Amber M. Quirk is seeking reelection. Rebecca Gamboa filed as a Democrat. Misael Nascimento filed as a write-in candidate on the Democratic side.

DuPage County Board

District 1: Incumbent Michael L. Childress filed as a Democrat and Eric Poplonski and Onkar Singh Sangha as Republicans for a four-year term, and Nicholas R. Panicola Jr., Melissa Villanueva and Maria Sinkule filed as Democrats and Paula Pezza as a Republican for a two-year term.

District 2: Christopher Espinoza and Guido Nardini filed as Democrats and Robert “Rusty” Stevens as a Republican for a four-year term, and Mahnoor Ahmad and Mary Rada Walters filed as Democrats and Theresa McClear as a Republican for a two-year term.

· Guido Nardini’s candidate questionnaire.

District 3: Marcus King filed as a Democrat and incumbent Kari Galassi as a Republican for a four-year term, and Ericka Polanco-Webb filed as a Democrat and incumbent Brian J. Krajewski as a Republican for a two-year term.

District 4: Syed V. Hussain and Paula McGowen filed as Democrats and incumbent Grant Eckhoff as a Republican for a four-year term, and incumbent Mary FitzGerald Ozog as a Democrat and Isobel Michaud as a Republican for a two-year term.

· Syed Hussain’s candidate questionnaire.

District 5: Incumbent Sadia Covert, Marylee Leu and Ian Holzhauer filed as Democrats and Chris Jacks as a Republican for a four-year term, and Incumbent Dawn DeSart as a Democrat and Daniel Alejandro Lomeli as a Republican for a two-year term.

· Ian Holzhauer’s candidate questionnaire.

District 6: Jesse Gutierrez filed as a Democrat and incumbent James F. “Jim” Zay filed as a Republican for a four-year term, and Lauren “Laurie” Nowak and incumbent Melissa Martinez filed as Democrats and Kathleen Zander as a Republican for a two-year term.

Forest Preserve District of DuPage County

President: Incumbent Daniel Hebreard filed a Democrat and Carl Schultz as a Republican.

District 1: Quinn F. Fulmer and Susan M. Smentek filed as Democrats and Carolyn Ubriaco as a Republican.

District 2: Incumbent Tina Tyson-Dunne, a Democrat, filed for reelection. Jacalynn “Jax” West and Dana Moreau also filed as Democrats and William “Bill” Wehrle as a Republican.

District 5: Incumbent Barbara A. O’Meara filed as a Democrat and Michael Farmer as a Republican.

What judicial races will I get to vote on?

Three vacancies are up at the Illinois appellate court level, according to an Illinois State Board of Elections list as of Sept. 3. Voters will also get to vote on retentions.

They include seats in the First, Third, and Fifth districts.

The Third Appellate District sits in Ottawa and includes Bureau, La Salle, DuPage, Will, Grundy, Kankakee, and Iroquois counties. Margaret “Peggy” O’Connell of Lisle and John Pavich of Frankfort has filed to run as Democrats and Jason A. Helland of Mazon and Mark Senak of Glen Ellyn has filed as Republicans.

· Margaret O’Connell’s candidate questionnaire.

· John Pavich’s candidate question.

What referendums are on the ballot?

Referendums:

City of Wood Dale — Zoning Amendment to Allow Hens in Single-Family Residential Districts

Milton Township — New Tax Rate for Road Machinery and Equipment

Naperville Park District — $120M Park Bonds: Pulls votes from Will and DuPage counties.

Oakbrook Terrace Fire Protection District — New Tax Rate for Emergency and Rescue

Tri-State Fire Protection District — $38M General Obligation Bonds

School District 45 — Proposition to Increase Limiting Rate: Pulls votes from DuPage and Cook counties. Read more here.

Important Dates

March 17: Election Day for the 2026 primary. Polls close at 7 p.m. Voters can request a partisan ballot with either Democratic or Republican candidates listed or a non-partisan ballot, which includes any referndums.

Emily Coleman

Emily K. Coleman

Originally from the northwest suburbs, Emily K. Coleman is Shaw Media's editor for newsletters and engagement. She previously served as the Northwest Herald's editor and spent about seven years as a reporter with Shaw Media, first covering Dixon for Sauk Valley Media and then various communities within McHenry County from 2012 to 2016.