Your guide to the March 2026 primary in DuPage County

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.

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.

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.

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 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”

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, John Goodman of Des Plaines 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.

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 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.

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.

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 removed from the ballot following a successful objection.

Jeff Walter’s candidate questionnaire.

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.

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

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.

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. None of those vacancies are in the district that includes DuPage County.

Voters will also get to vote on retentions.

Important Dates

Feb. 5: Early voting starts and county clerks begin mailing vote-by-mail ballots.

March 1: Last day to register to vote online through the State Board of Elections’ website. Grace period registration and voting continues through Election Day.

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.