The 2026 Illinois primary is not your average midterm election.
In fact, the results of this primary could mark a significant moment in Illinois history.
“If you didn’t know this already, Tuesday’s election in Illinois is very important,” NBC 5 reporter Rose Schmidt said. “It has the potential to reshape Illinois politics for decades to come.”
That’s because this midterm election will see five open congressional seats and an open Senate seat, a situation that hasn’t been seen in most voters’ lifetimes.
“That’s unprecedented. We’ve never had five open congressional seats at one time,” NBC 5 Political Reporter Mary Ann Ahern said. “Those are also seats that often, once elected, they hold onto for a very long time. And with, in some cases, 12 candidates or more running, someone could win with a very small margin.”
While the 2024 election cycle saw all 17 members of Illinois’ Congressional delegation successfully seek reelection, this year’s election has five incumbents who are either retiring or running for another office.
That list includes Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Rep. Robin Kelly, who are both running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate after the decision by Sen. Dick Durbin not to seek reelection.
“The open Senate seat is the biggest race because it hasn’t been an open seat in 30 years,” Ahern said. “When one wins that seat they often stay a long time.”
The race currently has three frontrunner candidates, including Krishnamoorthi, Kelly and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who Ahern noted “all have somewhat of a different lane in the Democratic Party.“
In addition, Reps. Danny Davis, Jan Schakowsky and Jesus “Chuy” Garcia are all retiring from Congress at the end of their terms, setting off a frenzy of candidates looking to put their hat in the ring.
The five vacancies are the most Illinois has had in a Congressional election cycle in nearly 80 years.
“This is a rare opportunity…” Schmidt said. “And it’s not just here in Illinois that will be paying attention to the results. The whole nation will be watching when they look at the Democratic Party. This is a question of will voters choose the more moderate candidates or the more progressive candidates?”
The stakes are high and not just for the candidates.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is seeking re-election and is unopposed in the primary, has played a large role in other races across the state, throwing his support, and finances, behind numerous races.
“His influence is on the line and if the people that he had endorsed do not win, what does that say about his influence?” Ahern said, noting that the governor is also eyeing a potential presidential run in 2028.
These midterm elections are largely being seen as a referendum on the administration of President Donald Trump, and of the Democratic Party’s failures in the 2024 race.
“I do think those who disagreed with the results of 2024 are gearing up for the November midterm. You can’t get to the midterm without first stopping at the primary,” Ahern said.
The 2026 Illinois primary takes place on March 17.
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