Live: Biss, Stratton, Hanley prevail in Democratic primary races

Daily file illustration by Jack Baker and Anavi Prakash

The generational race has drawn national attention and features a sprawling field of 15 Democratic and four Republican candidates.

The Daily Northwestern Staff

March 17, 2026

Months of campaigning concluded Tuesday as primary elections across Illinois drew national attention.

Tuesday night, Mayor Daniel Biss, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Winnetka environmentalist Patrick Hanley secured Democratic nominations to represent Evanston in the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate and Illinois State Senate, respectively.

Two weeks ago, The Daily published its 9th Congressional District Primary Election Preview, which featured profiles of six leading Democratic candidates: Biss, progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh, State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview), State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala and former FBI hostage negotiator Phil Andrew.

The Daily is now providing live updates, including the perspectives of Evanston voters and election results, throughout the day.

Last updated March 18 at 10:00 p.m.

Biss celebrates Schakowsky’s legacy, blasts AIPAC in primary victory speech

After the Associated Press called the 9th Congressional District’s Democratic primary race for Mayor Daniel Biss on Tuesday evening, he addressed dozens of his cheering supporters, among them volunteers and elected officials.

After honoring his prospective predecessor and self-proclaimed “political hero,” retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston), Biss said voters have “spoken clearly” for a new Democratic Party that will fight for its values under the second Trump administration.

In his nearly 20-minute speech, punctuated with comedic pauses, laughs and heartfelt tributes to family, Biss took a moment to say how “proud” he was of his campaign’s approach to “the question of Israel and Palestine.”

Tuesday’s race drew national attention for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s involvement. In total, the group spent millions of dollars on ads attacking the mayor and boosting his opponent State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

Biss said he maintained the “core” of the community’s nuanced and complex views on this issue. While the mayor said he faced a “lot of pressure” to move away from different perspectives on the conflict, he delivered a parting message to the controversial lobbying group.

“Let me end this simply by saying AIPAC found out the hard way,” Biss said. “The 9th District is not for sale.” — Reported by Marisa Guerra Echeverria

Amiwala acknowledges defeat in tearful concession speech

Addressing over a hundred supporters and volunteers, Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala began an emotional concession speech by asking, “Why’s everyone so sad?”

Amiwala, who reached for a box of tissues several times, thanked her supporters and family for believing in her “underdog” campaign. She said she was “standing here on the shoulders of every auntie and uncle who came to this country with virtually nothing.”

In recent weeks, Amiwala, who placed sixth in Tuesday’s primary election, firmly rejected calls to drop out to consolidate the progressive vote.

“Let the record show we did not sell out our community for power,” Amiwala said.

Amiwala told The Daily that an advertisement released by an outside group aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which promoted her campaign in an apparent bid to draw support from Democratic frontrunner Kat Abughazaleh, ultimately hurt her standing among Muslim voters.

She said many in the community erroneously believed she had received money from AIPAC, but she did not attribute her defeat to the ad.

“It has been my honor to champion the values of a government that uplifts everyone,” Amiwala said at the conclusion of her speech. “I have one goal as an elected official: to make life better for the people I serve. That will never change.” — Reported by Max Turetzky

Simmons concedes, announces, ‘This is just the beginning’

State Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago) addressed the crowd at his high-energy election night watch party in a closing speech that emphasized optimism about progressive leadership and criticized big money in politics.

Before his speech, Simmons told The Daily that his supporters and constituents were dissatisfied with how outside spending influenced the race.

“I think people are deeply unhappy with the campaign finance system and what we saw in this race — the fact that I was outspent 30 to one, and I’m still finishing in the top tier of the field,” he said.

Simmons added he will continue to work toward solving issues across the district at the state level, including challenges like affordable housing.

“You wouldn’t believe how many people in our country have to survive on three jobs and still can’t pay their rent. That’s not right,” he said. “Or how about the people that are being squeezed out of our district, live here, who don’t have health care, who don’t have a plan for retirement security. That’s the work that still has to be done.” — Reported by Gabe Hawkins and Tia Bethke

Abughazaleh ends campaign with call to action

As progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh stepped onstage following her loss in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District Democratic primary race, chants of “We love you Kat!” filled Replay Andersonville, the bar hosting her campaign’s Tuesday night election watch party.

“We have to send a message to this administration, anyone who enables it — and I’m talking directly to them right now — you and your jobs are not safe,” Abughazaleh told the crowd. “This is the start and not the end. We are not tolerating the status quo.”

In her speech, Abughazaleh urged attendees to continue the work her campaign began, adding that her loss “does not mean that the last year has been for nothing.”

“I would spend every single waking moment of the rest of my life to hold this administration accountable, win or lose,” Abughazaleh said. “I f—king meant it, and I know all of you do, too. So thank you for supporting us.”

Abughazaleh left her supporters with familiar calls against authoritarianism.

“I’m sorry that this sucks, but f—k Trump, f—k ICE, free Palestine,” she said. — Reported by Emily Dissanayake and Claire Coffey

Biss tells AIPAC to ‘cope’ with disappointing results in X post

The American Israel Public Affairs Committee announced its disappointment that State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) “did not prevail” in an X post Tuesday evening — its first official acknowledgement of involvement in the contentious Illinois 9th Congressional District Democratic primary race.

In the post, AIPAC claimed voters still “rejected two anti-Israel candidates in this race,” referencing Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala and progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh.

“We were especially proud to help defeat Abughazaleh, who centered her campaign on attacking Israel and demonizing pro-Israel Americans,” the post from AIPAC read.

Leading up to Tuesday’s primary election, digital attack ads with apparent ties to AIPAC targeted Abughazaleh.

Later Tuesday evening, Democratic congressional nominee Daniel Biss responded to AIPAC’s statement with an X post of his own. In it, the mayor delivered a simple message: “Cope.” — Reported by Wallis Rogin

Elleson wins Republican nomination to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District

Pastor John Elleson won the Republican primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, surpassing Spanish interpreter Rocío Cleveland, former software writer Paul Friedman and IT consultant Mark Su.

Elleson has 48.5% of the vote, with 92% of ballots counted, according to data from the Associated Press last updated at 10:31 p.m. The AP called the race for Elleson at 10:03 p.m. Friedman trails with 33.5%, while Cleveland and Su remain in the single digits.

“Very thankful to the Lord and everyone who worked hard in this campaign,” Elleson wrote in a Tuesday night statement to The Daily. “We pledge to represent all as we march to the general election in November. Congratulations to my opponent, Daniel Biss.” — Reported by Betsy Lecy

Fine urges unity after Biss declares victory

After announcing that she had congratulated Mayor Daniel Biss, State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview) spoke to a crowd of supporters Tuesday evening.

In her concession speech, Fine said the district needs to “get together and get behind him and make sure that he does succeed.”

“We are going to move forward, and we are going to move forward together,” Fine said. “Rain couldn’t stop us, cold couldn’t stop us. Nothing can stop us, and we are going to continue until we defeat Donald Trump.”

Shortly after her speech, Fine echoed this sentiment in an X post, writing she has “every confidence” that Biss will “be a champion for our community and continue the fight against Trump.” — Reported by Yong-Yu Huang

Hanley declares victory in Illinois State Senate Democratic primary

Winnetka environmentalist Patrick Hanley declared victory over opponent and Evanston attorney Rachel Ruttenberg in the Democratic primary race to represent the 9th District in the Illinois Senate Tuesday night.

Hanley has 51.5% of the vote with 94% of ballots counted, according to data from the Associated Press last updated at 9:34 p.m.

“I’m just so grateful to the voters of the 9th District and to (an) incredible volunteer team that did so much work to get us to where we are now,” Hanley told The Daily. “I just feel very humbled and grateful and gratified.”

Hanley added that he has not yet been in contact with Ruttenberg Tuesday night. Ruttenberg did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Hanley will face Republican candidate Tom Lally in the Nov. 3 general election. — Reported by Desiree Luo and Anavi Prakash

Optimism, excitement continue at Abughazaleh watch party

Ninth Ward resident and volunteer for Kat Abughazaleh’s campaign Lenny Lamkin said he knocked on doors in the 5th Ward for over six hours prior to attending Abughazaleh’s election night watch party.

For Lamkin, who has been working on Abughazaleh’s campaign since January, the campaign’s efforts have implications beyond the 9th District.

“Win or lose, we built a movement, and that’s important,” Lamkin said. “If the young people and the other folks who’ve gotten involved in the campaign stay involved, we can change politics on the North Shore.”

Lampkin noted that other campaign staffers and volunteers have “mixed” feelings about the incoming voter results, but added he remains optimistic as he waits for votes to come in from the Rogers Park, Edgewater and Lake View areas, which he called Abughazaleh’s “base.”

“The ones that think it’s slipping away are the younger ones who haven’t been involved in a lot of elections,” Lamkin said. “I’m of the attitude it’s not over until the vote total is 95%.” — Reported by Emily Dissanayake

Supporters gather at Fine watch party

In the dimly-lit ballroom of The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois, roughly 100 family members, supporters and campaign staff arrived to mingle at State Sen. Laura Fine’s (D-Glenview) election night watch party.

Wilmette resident Dan Meyer said he’s pleased with how Fine has tackled policy issues, adding that he “strongly agree(s)” with Fine’s positions on Israel.

“When I saw how nasty the campaign was getting and the criticisms against her, maybe for the first time ever, I made a monetary contribution, and I put her sign in my front yard,” Meyer said.

Fine has been widely criticized for reported connections to American Israel Public Affairs Committee donors, with shell PACs funding TV ads and mailers promoting her campaign. According to POLITICO, AIPAC had poured $4 million into these efforts by Tuesday.

Although Meyer said he was “not a big fan” of outside spending in the race, the problem plagued “all candidates.”

“I’m hoping that the residents in this congressional district will see her as maybe not the most charismatic, but someone who will be very effective and has their best interests in mind and isn’t interested in grandstanding,” he said. — Reported by Yong-Yu Huang

Students praise Abughazaleh campaign at Andersonville watch party

At progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh’s election watch party in Andersonville, campaign staffers, volunteers and friends are feeling optimistic. For SESP senior Shayna Tribush, a Cats for Kat campus fellow, tonight signifies the culmination of an almost year-long campaign.

“It has been a crazy couple of months,” Tribush said. “I think we’re all just excited to be at this moment, having put in so much work. We know we left it all on the field.”

No matter the results, Tribush said she hopes future candidates and elected officials learn from Abughazaleh’s unique campaign strategies. She pointed to Abughazaleh’s protests at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois and the fact that her campaign office doubles as a mutual aid hub.

“I want more people to have that expectation for their candidates, that they should actually, tangibly be helping the community they’re running in before they are elected,” she said.

Tribush added that she hopes politicians “take students seriously” and that students understand “we have a powerful voice.” — Reported by Emily Dissanayake

High hopes persist at Simmons watch party

At State Sen. Mike Simmons’ (D-Chicago) election night watch party in Rogers Park, energy is high as results begin trickling in.

Third Ward Resident Joanie Ducayet, who was Simmons’ high school student congress coach during the 1990s, said she was eager to vote for him. Ducayet described him as a hard-worker and skilled legislator.

“Mike was incredibly hardworking, earnest and sincere. He is so authentically himself. He is really interested in making life better for all kinds of people,” she said. “And as a student, he wrote bills that supported policies that were realistic.”

An Evanston resident for over three decades, Ducayet said she has long considered herself a “centrist” but that the current political moment demands fresh and younger leadership.

Simmons’ sister Aina Cambridge said the current political climate has been demoralizing but that she was excited to cast a ballot for her brother in a consequential election.

“I feel pretty unexcited about politics right now and about the folks in government. Mike’s my brother, but that also gives me the opportunity to really see how he’s moving, how he’s moved from the beginning when he first became senator,” she said.

Cambridge said she admired her brother’s outreach to the community he seeks to represent in Congress.

“He’s going to schools, he’s going to retirement homes, he’s meeting with single mothers,” she said. “He’s really embedded in the community.” — Reported by Gabe Hawkins

Abughazaleh volunteers court student voters

Working with Common Power, a Seattle-based voter mobilization organization, Jessica Lui stood near The Rock on Northwestern’s campus late Tuesday afternoon. She encouraged students to vote for progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh.

Before campaigning on campus, she went door to door throughout the 9th District “trying to capture those last votes and get people to the polls before 7.”

Lui said she appreciated that Abughazaleh’s campaign engaged in mutual aid.

“Besides the fact that she is young, I think people can see the fact that she is someone that’s not just saying words, like a lot of politicians, but she’s actually taking action, whether or not she’s elected,” Lui said. — Reported by Jack Baker and Hannah Webster

Third Ward residents Madeline Korte and Ian Hawthorne

Third Ward residents Madeline Korte and Ian Hawthorne said among their top reasons for voting were Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, affordability and the Iran war.

“I think that we need people who are willing to stand up to that, protect Palestinians and say their mind about Israel,” Hawthorne said.

The couple said after researching candidates for the past several days, they ultimately both decided to cast their ballot for progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh. Both said it was important to them to vote for someone young, considering the rare opportunity to do so in the 9th Congressional District.

“To be able to have our generation kind of get their foot in the door is really exciting,” Korte said. — Reported by Tia Bethke

Evanston residents Amy Ward and Michael Ward

At Oakton Elementary School, Amy Ward and her husband, Michael Ward, said they wanted a successor to U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) who demonstrated integrity and intelligence.

While they always make sure to vote, Amy Ward said she was particularly motivated to turn out for a candidate who “will stand up against Trump.”

Both have fond memories of Schakowsky’s tenure, but thought it was time for her to step aside in favor of a new generation of Democrats.

“It was a relief to have some candidates to vote for,” Amy Ward said. “Sometimes, there’s an election where you just throw your hands up and say, ‘I can’t vote for any of these people.’”

In Illinois’ 9th Congressional District primary, Amy Ward cast her ballot for Mayor Daniel Biss. Michael Ward declined to say who he voted for between Biss and State Sen. Laura Fine (D-Glenview), noting that he has worked with both in his capacity as an attorney.

In the U.S. Senate primary, both voted for U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Matteson) over U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Schaumburg) and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

“I saw her briefly down in the legislature before she went to Congress, and she’s got a very good reputation, both personally and professionally,” Michael Ward said. “And also, she’s done well in Congress, so I think she’d be a good senator for the country.”

Both regard democracy as the most important issue in the election. Michael Ward specifically referenced the SAVE America Act, a controversial voter I.D. bill supported by congressional Republicans that would require proof of citizenship to vote.

“If certain members of Congress had their way, we wouldn’t be allowed to vote today,” Michael Ward said, gesturing toward the elementary school where he cast his ballot. “We’d have to be going out and getting birth certificates and passports.” — Reported by Max Turetzky

Kellogg student Austin Workman

Also at Lake Street Church, Kellogg student Austin Workman said he was energized to vote in this election after relocating to Evanston from Ohio. Workman explained he was interested in electing a representative who has “the guts” to fight the Trump administration and defend democracy.

“Coming from Ohio, where there’s not a lot of competitive elections, it felt good to vote in this one, where it seems like you’re really gonna have a say,” Workman said.

Workman said he ultimately voted for Biss because of his political experience and presence in Evanston. He said he admired progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh’s campaign and the excitement it has generated among young voters, but is prioritizing proven experience with his vote.

“I totally get the people who would come out and be energized by that, and I respect what she did in that regard,” Workman said. “But I think you have to be able to bridge the gap there between excitement and ability to get things done and having experience to lead.” — Reported by Gabe Hawkins

Fourth Ward resident Robert Parris

At Lake Street Church, 4th Ward resident Robert Parris said he’s excited to elect an “honest and hardworking” candidate in this year’s congressional race. Parris said he’s drawn to Mayor Daniel Biss due to his presence in the community and responsiveness to the current political moment.

“He’s done a good job,” Parris said. “He’s hardworking, he’s very articulate, and he keeps up with the issues, so he knows what’s going on.”

Parris added that he was skeptical of candidates who have focused their campaigns on fighting federal immigration enforcement.

“They’re all saying that they’ll fight ICE,” Parris said. “So where do you go from there?”

On the other hand, Evanston resident Brent Brotine said he’s eager to elect a candidate who is supportive of Israel. He added he would like for Evanston’s next representative to be Jewish, referencing Schakowsky’s Jewish heritage.

“It’s important to me to keep what has traditionally been a Jewish seat, a Jewish seat,” he said. — Reported by Gabe Hawkins

Weinberg sophomore and Evanston resident Mary Mascari

Outside Parkes Hall, a Weinberg sophomore who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution from the federal government said they were concerned by Democratic congressional candidates receiving support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, the nation’s largest pro-Israel lobbying group.

“I was really against voting anyone who’s getting AIPAC money specifically,” they said. “I think that if my tax dollars are going to America, they should stay in America.”

For Evanston resident Mary Mascari, electing a candidate with strong ideas and a bold voice was a key priority in the race to replace Schakowsky.

Mascari added she wants to see a fighter represent the district in Congress.

“It was important that I felt like we had people in the Democratic Party who would actually stand up, who would not cave, who would go perhaps outside the establishment a little bit, and who really had the courage to stand by their convictions,” Mascari said. — Reported by Gabe Hawkins

Seventh Ward resident Robert Crews

Seventh Ward resident Robert Crews said he owns a copy of the U.S. Constitution that he reads periodically and looked for a progressive candidate who is “not wedded to the way things are working right now.”

The 77-year-old said he was deciding between former FBI hostage negotiator Phil Andrew and progressive content creator Kat Abughazaleh to represent Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. Crews said he eventually decided to cast his ballot for Abughazaleh on Tuesday because she “seemed pretty positive.”

“I voted for Kat because I thought she had a better chance of winning,” Crews said. “I think she’s very progressive and intelligent and more likely to defeat Daniel Biss.” — Reported by Wallis Rogin

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— Mayor Daniel Biss isn’t afraid to make waves. Now, he’s aiming for Washington.

— ‘I didn’t want to wait’: Kat Abughazaleh looks to upset congressional status quo