LGBTQ+ candidates across Illinois won several state and local races in the March 17 primary, but fell short in higher-profile federal contests.
More than a dozen LGBTQ+ candidates ran in the Democratic primary, competing across federal, state and local races in Illinois. The results pointed to a divide in outcomes, with LGBTQ+ candidates finding more success in state and local contests than in federal races.
Among the queer candidates advancing to the Nov. 3 general election are Illinois House candidates Demi Palecek (13th District) and Cleopatra Cowley (34th District), both of whom won their races.
Palecek is a queer Latina military veteran and National Guard member who was activated for the presidential inauguration support mission following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, while Cowley is a community advocate and gun violence prevention activist whose daughter, Hadiya Pendleton, was killed in a 2013 shooting in Chicago.
In Cook County, industrial engineer Drake Warren defeated incumbent Commissioner Bridget Gainer in the 10th District race.
They are joined by several out LGBTQ+ incumbents who advanced without opposition, including U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (17th District), state Reps. Kelly Cassidy (14th District) and Amy “Murri” Briel (76th District), and Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor (9th District).
In the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District race, Commissioner Precious Brady-Davis won one of three available six-year terms, alongside fellow incumbents Eira Lizeth Corral Sepúlveda and Beth McElroy Kirkwood. LGBTQ+ candidate Sarah Bury finished fourth.
Several LGBTQ+ challengers, however, lost in competitive races.
In U.S. House races, Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison lost the 8th District primary to former Congresswoman Melissa Bean; political journalist Kat Abughazaleh and state Sen. Mike Simmons lost to Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss in the 9th District; and Chicago Police District Council member Anthony Michael Tamez was defeated by incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley in the 5th District.
In Cook County, former Equality Illinois director of civic engagement Jose “Che-Che” Wilson was trailing Elizabeth Granato, bureau chief of the Cook County Bureau of Asset Management, in the 12th District race with most precincts reporting.
While not featuring any LGBTQ+ candidates, the closely watched Democratic primary for U.S. Senate was won by Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, who defeated U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Robin Kelly.
Gov. JB Pritzker advanced to the general election without a primary challenger and will face conservative politician Darren Bailey, who won the Republican nomination.