Illinois state Sen. Mike Simmons—the first openly LGBTQ+ member of the state Senate—is launching his campaign in the 9th Congressional District for the seat currently held by retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Simmons is joining state Rep. Hoan Huynh, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, state Sen. Laura Fine, community organizer and former Schakowsky aide Miracle Jenkins, social-media content creator Kat Abughazaleh and several other Democratic candidates vying for the seat.
“I’m running because the communities in the 9th District have raised me, and they’re struggling,” Simmons told the Tribune. “It’s one of the most diverse areas in the nation, and it is becoming unaffordable for too many.”
Simmons is not up for re-election until 2028, so he could keep his current seat if he doesn’t win the congressional race.