Illinois' 2nd Congressional District election, 2026

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Illinois' 2nd Congressional District
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: November 3, 2025
Primary: March 17, 2026 General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voting in Illinois
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Democratic DDHQ and The Hill: Pending Inside Elections: Solid Democratic Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Illinois' 2nd Congressional District U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 15th • 16th • 17th Illinois elections, 2026 U.S. Congress elections, 2026 U.S. Senate elections, 2026 U.S. House elections, 2026 Alabama U.S. House racesAlaska U.S. House raceArizona U.S. House racesArkansas U.S. House racesCalifornia U.S. House racesColorado U.S. House racesConnecticut U.S. House racesDelaware U.S. House raceFlorida U.S. House racesGeorgia U.S. House racesHawaii U.S. House racesIdaho U.S. House racesIllinois U.S. House racesIndiana U.S. House racesIowa U.S. House racesKansas U.S. House racesKentucky U.S. House racesLouisiana U.S. House racesMaine U.S. House racesMaryland U.S. House racesMassachusetts U.S. House racesMichigan U.S. House racesMinnesota U.S. House racesMississippi U.S. House racesMissouri U.S. House racesMontana U.S. House racesNebraska U.S. House racesNevada U.S. House racesNew Hampshire U.S. House racesNew Jersey U.S. House racesNew Mexico U.S. House racesNew York U.S. House racesNorth Carolina U.S. House racesNorth Dakota U.S. House raceOhio U.S. House racesOklahoma U.S. House racesOregon U.S. House racesPennsylvania U.S. House racesRhode Island U.S. House racesSouth Carolina U.S. House racesSouth Dakota U.S. House raceTennessee U.S. House racesTexas U.S. House racesUtah U.S. House racesVermont U.S. House raceVirginia U.S. House racesWashington U.S. House racesWest Virginia U.S. House racesWisconsin U.S. House racesWyoming U.S. House raceSubmit

All U.S. House districts, including the 2nd Congressional District of Illinois, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. The primary is March 17, 2026. The filing deadline was November 3, 2025.

Ballotpedia identified the March 17 Democratic primary as a battleground primary. For more on the Democratic primary, click here.

For more information about the primaries in this election, click on the links below:

• Illinois' 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 (March 17 Republican primary)
• Illinois' 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 (March 17 Democratic primary)

Candidates and election results

General election

The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Ashley Banks is running in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Ashley Banks (Independent)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Toni Brown
		Yumeka Brown
		Eric France
		Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.
		Patrick Keating
		Donna Miller
	Submit photo	Sidney Moore
		Robert Peters
		Willie Preston
		Adal Regis

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robin Kelly (D)
• Jeremy Young (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Mike Noack and Ashley Ramos are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
		Mike Noack
		Ashley Ramos

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Calvin Coleman (R)

March 17 Democratic primary

See also: Illinois' 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 (March 17 Democratic primary)

Ballotpedia identified the March 17 Democratic primary as a battleground primary. For more on the Democratic primary, click here. For more on the Republican primary, click here.

Eleven candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 2nd Congressional District on March 17, 2026. As of November 2025, Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D), Donna Miller (D), Robert Peters (D), and Willie Preston (D) led in fundraising and local media attention.

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D), first elected in 2013, is running for U.S. Senate rather than seeking re-election, leaving the seat open. Kelly won re-election in 2024 68%–32%. The major race rating outlets rated the race as Solid Democratic, meaning the winner of this primary is likely to win the general election.

Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D) is a former nonprofit executive who represented the District from 1995 to 2012. Jackson served 23 months in prison after being found guilty in 2013 of spending $750,000 in campaign funds on personal expenses. Jackson says he was "was one of the most effective members of Congress, delivering nearly a billion in grants and appropriations to the District."

Miller was elected to the Cook County Commission in 2018. Miller's professional experience includes working as an independent consultant in sales training and marketing. Miller says she has "spent her career serving the community and fighting to lower costs for working families, increase opportunity, and expand access to healthcare, particularly for women and communities of color."

Peters is a majority whip in the Illinois Senate and was elected to the chamber in 2018. He previously worked as a community organizer with the nonprofit group Chicago Votes. Peters says he is running "to bring bold, progressive leadership to Washington on behalf of the communities of Illinois’ 2nd District."

Preston is the chairman of the Illinois Senate Black Caucus and was first elected to the chamber in 2022. Preston's professional experience includes owning a construction firm and working as a janitor and carpenter. Preston says he is running "because I know what it means to struggle – and to overcome. Together, we're going to bring back jobs and businesses to the Southland."

Also running in the primary are Toni Brown (D), Yumeka Brown (D), Eric France (D), Patrick Keating (D), Sidney Moore (D), Adal Regis (D), and Jeremy Young (D).

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

• U.S. House (1995–2012)

Biography:  Jackson obtained a bachelor's degree from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, a master's degree from Chicago Theological Seminary, and a law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law. Jackson worked at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit organization his father, Jesse Jackson, founded.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Jackson said he had a record of success from his earlier terms in Congress, with his campaign website saying Jackson "was considered one of the hardest-working and most effective members of Congress. He never missed a vote and he delivered nearly a billion dollars in federal grants and appropriations to the District."

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Jackson said his experience was more valuable because of how high the political stakes were in 2026. His campaign website quoted former Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) as saying Jackson "is the most qualified and ready-made of all the candidates to fight for democracy and against policies that threaten to take away healthcare, food stamps and Social Security."

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Jackson said he "would be committed to fighting for all residents from the South Side of Chicago and small towns like Tilton to rural and unincorporated areas. He would work hard every day to lead the fight for those who have been marginalized, forgotten and left behind in Washington's political chaos."

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Show sources

Sources: Jesse Jackson campaign website, "Issues," accessed November 20, 2025; Jesse Jackson campaign website, "Main page," accessed November 20, 2025; Jesse Jackson campaign website, "About," accessed November 20, 2025; Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "JACKSON, Jesse L., Jr." accessed November 20, 2025

Donna Miller

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

• Cook County Board of Commissioners (Assumed office: 2018)

Biography:  Miller obtained a bachelor's degree in marketing from Howard University. Her professional experience includes working in sales training with Genentech and UnitedHealth Group as well as working in marketing with the American Heart Association. Miller had worked as an independent consultant in sales training and marketing for 15 years.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Miller said she had "spent her career serving the community and fighting to lower costs for working families, increase opportunity, and expand access to healthcare, particularly for women and communities of color." Miller said she had experience in healthcare and government.

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Miller said her family's legacy inspired her choice of career. Her campaign website said: "Donna’s great grandfather was a Pullman Porter who helped build the middle class. Her grandmother, mother, and sister were all teachers. And her dad wore this country’s uniform his entire career."

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Miller said she was running "to fight back against those in Washington who are trying to tear down all of the progress she’s made for working families...[and to] build a future we can all afford."

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Show sources

Sources: Donna Miller campaign website, "Meet Donna," accessed November 20, 2025; LinkedIn, "Donna Miller," accessed November 20, 2025

Robert Peters

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

• Illinois Senate (Assumed office: 2019)

Biography:  Peters obtained a bachelor's degree in social sciences from Kansas State University. Before entering elected office, Peters worked as a community organizer with the nonprofit organization Chicago Votes. He also worked for Reclaim Chicago and The People's Lobby.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Peters said he had a history of advocacy in the community and that he was running "to bring bold, progressive leadership to Washington on behalf of the communities of Illinois’ 2nd District."

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Peters said he had "established himself as a highly effective legislator, chairing the Public Safety Committee, the Labor Committee and, previously, the Senate Black Caucus." Peters said he had passed dozens of bills in the state Senate and had been involved in modifying the state's bail system, raising the minimum wage, and prohibiting certain restrictions on abortion.

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Peters said his "commitment to fighting for justice for all is rooted in his own story," having been adopted by a social worker and a civil rights attorney. Peters said his upbringing taught him "that the most valuable work he can do is standing up for others."

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Show sources

Sources: Robert Peters campaign website, "About," accessed November 20, 2025; Robert Peters campaign website, "About," accessed November 20, 2025

Willie Preston

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

• Illinois Senate (Assumed office: 2023)

Biography:  Preston worked as a union janitor and a carpenter before attending Chicago State University and Roosevelt University. Before entering elected politics, Preston worked with nonprofit organizations including the Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability. Preston was the owner and operator of a construction firm.

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Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

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Preston said he understood the challenges district residents faced, with his campaign website saying he "was born and raised in Englewood on Chicago’s South Side, and his journey reflects the story of so many in our community."

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Preston said his state legislative record included "banning toxic food additives, expanding union apprenticeships, and ensuring every person coming home from prison leaves with a state ID and a fair shot at redemption and rebuilding their life."

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Preston said he was running "because I know what it means to struggle – and to overcome. Together, we're going to bring back jobs and businesses to the Southland. We're going to support local farmers, and we're going to build world-class neighborhoods all throughout the South Side of Chicago."

---

Show sources

Sources: Willie Preston campaign website, "Home page," accessed November 21, 2025; YouTube, "Preston for Congress Official Launch Video," August 19, 2025; Illinois General Assembly, "Willie Preston (D) - 104th General Assembly," accessed November 21, 2025; Willie Preston campaign website, "Home page," accessed November 21, 2025

See more

See more here: Illinois' 2nd Congressional District election, 2026 (March 17 Democratic primary)

• Polls
• Campaign finance
• Satellite spending
• Endorsements
• Campaign ads

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Ashley Banks

Party: Independent

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "Hi, I’m Ashley Banks, from Chicago, Illinois not Bel-Air. I’m a 40-year-old candidate for change, born and raised right here in Illinois. I’ve spent much of my life learning, working, and growing in the 2nd Congressional District. My campaign, **Banks for IL-02**, is focused on restoring respect, value, and transparency between the people and those elected to serve them. I’ve proudly served as a freelance journalist, photographer, and election judge, and I’ve been actively involved in politics and community work since my teenage years. I’m a graduate of Crete-Monee High School, and I’m currently completing two degrees one in Journalism at Olive-Harvey College and another in International Marketing at DePaul University. Over the years, I’ve gained hands-on experience across several industries that reflect the everyday realities of working families. I’ve worked in education as a tutor for DePaul University and attended Central Arizona College for teaching. I’ve also worked in transportation as a CTA bus driver and truck driver, and in logistics as an Amazon warehouse employee."

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Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

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Real Experience. Real Representation. I’ve lived and worked in the same communities I’m running to represent from education and journalism to transportation and labor. I understand the everyday struggles of working families because I’ve lived them. My experience isn’t just professional it’s personal. That’s why I’m committed to fighting for real solutions that deliver real change.

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Respect, Value, and Transparency My campaign, **Banks for IL-02**, is about restoring trust in leadership. I believe voters deserve honesty, clear communication, and decisions that truly reflect their needs not political games or empty promises. Respect means listening. Value means action. Transparency means accountability. Together, they’re the foundation for better leadership and a stronger community.

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Action and Accountability I’m not running for a title I’m running to make things happen. I stand for efficiency, timely action, and clear plans that keep District 2 moving forward. Leadership means delivering results, not excuses. I’ll bring the people’s voice to Washington and make sure it’s heard, respected, and acted upon.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Illinois

Election information in Illinois: Nov. 3, 2026, election.

What is the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 3, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by Oct. 6, 2026
• Online: Oct. 18, 2026

Is absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

N/A

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 2, 2026
• By mail: Received by Oct. 29, 2026
• Online: Oct. 29, 2026

What is the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

• In-person: Nov. 3, 2026
• By mail: Postmarked by Nov. 3, 2026

Is early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What are the early voting start and end dates?

Sep. 24, 2026 to Nov. 2, 2026

Are all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, is a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When are polls open on Election Day?

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. (CT)

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Expand all | Collapse all

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

Real Experience. Real Representation.

I’ve lived and worked in the same communities I’m running to represent from education and journalism to transportation and labor. I understand the everyday struggles of working families because I’ve lived them. My experience isn’t just professional it’s personal. That’s why I’m committed to fighting for real solutions that deliver real change.

Respect, Value, and Transparency

My campaign, **Banks for IL-02**, is about restoring trust in leadership. I believe voters deserve honesty, clear communication, and decisions that truly reflect their needs not political games or empty promises. Respect means listening. Value means action. Transparency means accountability. Together, they’re the foundation for better leadership and a stronger community.

Action and Accountability

I’m not running for a title I’m running to make things happen. I stand for efficiency, timely action, and clear plans that keep District 2 moving forward. Leadership means delivering results, not excuses. I’ll bring the people’s voice to Washington and make sure it’s heard, respected, and acted upon.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

Healthcare Policy

I’m passionate about improving healthcare for all. My focus is on closing the gaps in mental health care and breaking down the barriers that prevent families from receiving quality physical health services. Access to care should never depend on income or zip code.

I also believe in supporting the professionals who make our healthcare system work our nurses and frontline staff. By reducing the patient-to-nurse ratio, we can relieve overworked staff, improve patient care, and create safer, more efficient hospitals and clinics.

Social Policy

Social stability is the foundation of a healthy nation. I believe every American deserves access to safe, stable living conditions.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

I look up to every person who has overcome what the world deemed impossible. Their journeys show the power of strength, courage, determination, and hope. These individuals inspire me to keep pushing forward, to face challenges head-on, and to fight for a future where everyone has the opportunity to succeed no matter the obstacles.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

The most important quality I believe elected officials should have is action. Words are important, especially when they are respectful and thoughtful, but they are even more powerful when matched with deeds. Leadership means delivering results, keeping promises, and taking responsibility for decisions that impact people’s lives. I believe officials should be accountable, transparent, and committed to the communities they serve. Respectful communication matters, but real change comes from action that improves lives.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

I believe that someone elected to Congress has three core responsibilities: research, careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and active engagement with the district they serve. A member of Congress should thoroughly study issues, make informed decisions, and ensure that funds are spent responsibly to benefit the people. Equally important is being present and involved in the community listening to constituents, understanding their needs, and representing their voices effectively in Washington.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

The legacy I hope to leave is the reminder that each of us has a mark on this world. Mine will be that I never gave up. Even in moments when I felt ashamed of where I was, I remembered that **just because I’m at a certain point doesn’t mean I have to stay there I want my story to show others that resilience, perseverance, and hope can turn challenges into opportunities and that we all have the power to make a lasting impact on our communities.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

The first historical event I was part of was my own life. I was born with a rare condition called subglottic hemangiomas, which affected me internally. At the time, I was the **first known case in Illinois and only the third in the world. My condition became a case study at the University of Chicago, and from an early age, I learned the importance of resilience, hope, and being part of something bigger than myself. This experience shaped who I am today and inspires my commitment to helping others overcome challenges through public service.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

My first job was at 12 years old at the Richton Park Community Center, a village in the south suburbs of Chicago. The center had a youth program that taught us professional skills early, including how to speak with employers and how to dress appropriately for work. I started as a cleaner, and local residents in the community signed up to employ us youth. That experience taught me the value of hard work, responsibility, and community involvement lessons that continue to guide me in public service today.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

Jordan B Peterson "12 Rules to Life"

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

Yhe greatest challenge over the next decade is restoring and improving the systems that serve Americans, especially in the economy. Many policies from the current administration have created uncertainty for families and small businesses. My focus is on building an economy that works for everyone, not just a few, and ensuring that Americans have the opportunities and resources needed to thrive. By promoting fair policies, economic growth, and accountability in government, we can create a stronger, more stable future for all.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

I support term limits for elected officials. Public service is meant to be a responsibility, not a career, and term limits help ensure that fresh ideas and new voices are regularly brought into government. They encourage accountability, reduce the risk of entrenched power, and allow more citizens to participate in shaping the future of their communities. I believe term limits strengthen democracy by keeping leadership connected to the people they serve and focused on results rather than personal political gain.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

The stories I hear from the people of District 2 show a clear need for better opportunities and fairer economic conditions. Residents have expressed concerns about the **rising cost of housing** and the need for rent regulation, especially as wages remain too low to keep up with living expenses. Many families in our district simply want the chance to live a stable, dignified life without working long hours every day just to make ends meet. My goal is to create policies that support fair wages, affordable housing, and opportunities for financial stability, so every resident can thrive without sacrifice.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

Ashley Banks (Independent)

I recently met a woman in Kankakee, a mother working to overcome domestic violence. She shared the struggles she had faced and admitted that she hadn’t always made choices she was proud of, but she had waited until things became unbearable to make a change. I listened, and I shared that I am running for office. I promised to record her concerns, research solutions, and work to help not just her, but others in similar situations. She thanked me and told me she had never voted in her 30 years of life, but after our conversation, she decided she would vote for the first time. I reminded her that politics often involves moral choices and that no one wants to vote for the wrong candidate. I also emphasized that voting is how we bring in leaders committed to real change leaders who work to improve lives and our communities.

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Yumeka Brown	Democratic Party	$69,400	$17,448	$51,953	As of September 30, 2025
Toni Brown	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Eric France	Democratic Party	$13,091	$11,283	$1,808	As of June 30, 2025
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.	Democratic Party	$95,029	$40,237	$54,792	As of September 30, 2025
Patrick Keating	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Donna Miller	Democratic Party	$242,494	$90,523	$151,971	As of September 30, 2025
Sidney Moore	Democratic Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Robert Peters	Democratic Party	$693,183	$347,495	$345,688	As of September 30, 2025
Willie Preston	Democratic Party	$79,354	$34,977	$44,377	As of September 30, 2025
Adal Regis	Democratic Party	$66,615	$47,934	$10,824	As of September 30, 2025
Mike Noack	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Ashley Ramos	Republican Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Ashley Banks	Independent	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

• Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
• Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
• Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.
• Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.

Race ratings: Illinois' 2nd Congressional District election, 2026
Race tracker	Race ratings
	12/23/2025	12/16/2025	12/9/2025	12/2/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Decision Desk HQ and The Hill	Pending	Pending	Pending	Pending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic	Solid Democratic
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic	Safe Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Illinois in the 2026 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Illinois, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2026
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Illinois	U.S. House	Established parties	Not less than .5% (.005) of the qualified primary electors of their party in the congressional district	N/A	11/3/2025	Source
Illinois	U.S. House	Independents	Not less than 5% nor more than 8% (or 50 more than the minimum, whichever is greater) of the total number of persons who voted at the last regular general election within the congressional district.	N/A	5/26/2026	Source

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

• 2024
• 2022
• 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) defeated Ashley Ramos (R) and Mike Vick (Independent) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robin Kelly (D)	67.5	195,777
		Ashley Ramos (R)	32.4	94,004
		Mike Vick (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	33
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0%	29

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 289,843
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robin Kelly	100.0	56,732

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 56,732
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Curry (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Ashley Ramos (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ashley Ramos	100.0	20,527

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,527
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) defeated Thomas Lynch (R) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robin Kelly (D)	65.0	127,650
		Thomas Lynch (R)	35.0	68,761

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 196,411
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robin Kelly	100.0	56,606

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 56,606
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Toni Brown (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Thomas Lynch (R) defeated Shane Cultra (R) and Ashley Ramos (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Thomas Lynch	37.2	10,289
		Shane Cultra	35.7	9,869
		Ashley Ramos	27.2	7,524

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 27,682
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) defeated Theresa Raborn (R) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robin Kelly (D)	78.8	234,896
		Theresa Raborn (R)	21.2	63,142

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 298,038
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Incumbent Robin Kelly (D) defeated Marcus Lewis (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robin Kelly	84.8	94,767
		Marcus Lewis	15.2	16,942

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 111,709
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Morrow (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2

Theresa Raborn (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 2 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Theresa Raborn	100.0	12,181

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 12,181
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

District analysis

Click the tabs below to view information about voter composition, past elections, and demographics in both the district and the state.

• District map - A map of the district in place for the election.
• Competitiveness - Information about the competitiveness of 2026 U.S. House elections in the state.
• Presidential elections - Information about presidential elections in the district and the state.
• State party control - The partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation and state government.

• District map
• Competitiveness
• Presidential elections
• State party control

Below is the district map in place for this election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2026

Information about competitiveness will be added here as it becomes available.

Partisan Voter Index

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is D+18. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 18 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Illinois' 2nd the 74th most Democratic district nationally.

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2024 presidential election was in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by The Downballot.

2024 presidential results in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District

Kamala Harris	Donald Trump
66.0%	33.0%

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Illinois, 2024

Illinois presidential election results (1900-2024)

• 17 Democratic wins
• 15 Republican wins

Year	1900	1904	1908	1912	1916	1920	1924	1928	1932	1936	1940	1944	1948	1952	1956	1960	1964	1968	1972	1976	1980	1984	1988	1992	1996	2000	2004	2008	2012	2016	2020	2024
Winning Party	R	R	R	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

See also: Party control of Illinois state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Illinois' congressional delegation as of October 2025.

Congressional Partisan Breakdown from Illinois
Party	U.S. Senate	U.S. House	Total
Democratic	2	14	16
Republican	0	3	3
Independent	0	0	0
Vacancies	0	0	0
Total	2	17	19

State executive

The table below displays the officeholders in Illinois' top four state executive offices as of October 2025.

State executive officials in Illinois, October 2025

Office	Officeholder
Governor	J.B. Pritzker
Lieutenant Governor	Juliana Stratton
Secretary of State	Alexi Giannoulias
Attorney General	Kwame Raoul

State legislature

Illinois State Senate

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	40
	Republican Party	19
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		59

Illinois House of Representatives

Party		As of October 2025
	Democratic Party	78
	Republican Party	40
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		118

Trifecta control

Illinois Party Control: 1992-2025
Nineteen years of Democratic trifectas  •  Two years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24	25
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
Senate	D	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D
House	D	D	D	R	R	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D	D

See also

Illinois	2026 primaries	2026 U.S. Congress elections
Illinois congressional delegation Voting in Illinois Illinois elections: 2026 • 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018	Democratic primary battlegrounds Republican primary battlegrounds U.S. Senate Democratic primaries U.S. Senate Republican primaries U.S. House Democratic primaries U.S. House Republican primaries	U.S. Congress elections U.S. Senate elections U.S. House elections Special elections Ballot access

External links

• Search Google News for this topic

Footnotes

[show]

Illinois' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tammy Duckworth (D)

Dick Durbin (D)

Representatives

District 1

Jonathan Jackson (D)

District 2

Robin Kelly (D)

District 3

Delia Ramirez (D)

District 4

Jesus Garcia (D)

District 5

Mike Quigley (D)

District 6

Sean Casten (D)

District 7

Danny Davis (D)

District 8

Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)

District 9

Jan Schakowsky (D)

District 10

Brad Schneider (D)

District 11

Bill Foster (D)

District 12

Mike Bost (R)

District 13

Nikki Budzinski (D)

District 14

Lauren Underwood (D)

District 15

Mary Miller (R)

District 16

Darin LaHood (R)

District 17

Eric Sorensen (D)

Democratic Party (16)

Republican Party (3)

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Election information

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