Illinois' 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Democratic primary)

2026 → ← 2022
Illinois' 6th Congressional District
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: December 4, 2023
Primary: March 19, 2024 General: November 5, 2024
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: Safe Democratic 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, 2024
See also
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A Democratic Party primary took place on March 19, 2024, in Illinois' 6th Congressional District to determine which Democratic candidate would run in the district's general election on November 5, 2024.

Incumbent Sean Casten advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 6.

All 435 seats were up for election. At the time of the election, Republicans had a 220 to 212 majority with three vacancies. As of June 2024, 45 members of the U.S. House had announced they were not running for re-election. To read more about the U.S. House elections taking place this year, click here.

In the 2022 election in this district, the Democratic candidate won 54.4%-45.6%. Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 54.5%-43.6%.

Candidate filing deadline	Primary election	General election
December 4, 2023	March 19, 2024	November 5, 2024

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. In Illinois, state law provides for a closed primary where a voter must be affiliated with a party to vote in that party's primary. However, voters state their affiliation at the polls and any voter may change their affiliation on the day of the primary. A voter's eligibility to vote a party's ballot may be challenged.

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

This page focuses on Illinois' 6th Congressional District Democratic primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Republican primary and the general election, see the following pages:

• Illinois' 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Republican primary)
• Illinois' 6th Congressional District election, 2024

Candidates and election results

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 6

Incumbent Sean Casten defeated Mahnoor Ahmad and Charles Hughes in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 6 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sean Casten	77.1	56,750
		Mahnoor Ahmad	14.2	10,483
		Charles Hughes	8.6	6,366

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 73,599
= 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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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.

Sean Casten

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: Yes

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "I ran for this office in 2018 on the premise that there's an awful lot more that unites us than divides us. The overwhelming majority of us trust science. We believe that women should have full control of their body and that the government should not be involved in their health care decisions. We think markets are extremely powerful tools to harness ingenuity, but they require a functioning, ethical, and competent government to make sure everybody gets a fair chance. Most importantly, the overwhelming majority of us know that we are only as good as the world we leave to our children. Over my three terms in Congress, I’ve been reassured by the voters and my colleagues that my idealism is justified. I served on the climate committee that recommended the legislation that became the Inflation Reduction Act - the biggest climate bill ever passed anywhere. We were intimately involved in the recovery from COVID that led to a US economy that recovered faster and is growing faster than any other country in the world - with growth across red states and blue states and income growth fastest among the most needy. But, to be blunt, our work isn’t finished. Global temperatures continue to rise. A woman’s right to control her body depends on the state she is in. We still have too many guns, and too many gun deaths. It’s an amazing privilege and responsibility to have this job. And as long as we still have work to do, I’ll keep at it."

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Key Messages

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

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Climate change remains the existential threat to our species and addressing this crisis remains my top priority in Congress. I am proud to have served on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis where we wrote substantially all of what became the Inflation Reduction Act. This term I have introduced the Clean Electricity and Transmission Acceleration Act to debottleneck our electric grid and ensure that all the new investments have a path to market. We have an opportunity to expand access to cleaner, cheaper energy and create jobs at the same time. I’m working to make sure that we seize that opportunity.

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I am 100% pro-choice without exception, and I’m running to ensure women have the right to make their own health care decisions no matter the state they are in. Congress can and should codify this right by passing the Women’s Health Protection Act, which I was proud to co-sponsor and help pass in the House in the 117th Congress. That bill would reaffirm that abortion access is not an issue of federal rights nor states rights but of women’s rights. I also led over 100 of my colleagues in a letter calling on the Senate to eliminate or modify the filibuster so that we can pass this into law - because given the choice between the rights of 167 million American women and 40 US Senators I will always side with the former.

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Our country has too many guns and too many gun deaths. Both are the direct result of courts that have taken a wildly excessive and expansive interpretation of the 2nd Amendment. Since the Heller decision the Supreme Court has manufactured an entire view of the Second amendment that is at odds with our founders’ intent. We need to go back to the 2nd Amendment our founders intended. I support, among other things, banning assault weapons and preventing anyone with a history of domestic violence from owning a firearm - since that demographic comprises two-thirds of all mass shooters in the United States. Until we reduce access to guns in our society we are going to continue to lose too many Americans from needless gun violence.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Illinois District 6 in 2024.

Mahnoor Ahmad

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography:  "As I contemplate the world that awaits my son, a beautiful blend of hope and concern courses through my veins. The ever-evolving landscape of our times has sparked a fire within me, propelling me to take a profound step— running for office. Deep within the recesses of my soul, I harbor an unyielding desire to shape a future that radiates with brilliance and stands unwavering, ensuring security and prosperity for all. ​ In our shared vision of tomorrow, I envisage a tapestry woven with threads of compassion, progress, and boundless hope. Together, we can forge a world where every child, including my own beloved son, can unfurl their wings and soar to unimaginable heights. It is this vision that propels me forward, urging me to lend my voice, my energy, and my unwavering dedication to this noble cause. ​ I implore you to join me on this transformative journey. Your support, your wisdom, and your unwavering belief in the extraordinary power of our united voice will shape the course of our future. Together, let us weave a tapestry of hope, resilience, and boundless opportunity. Imagine a future where our children dance in the golden rays of possibility, where their dreams flourish unimpeded by the limitations of the past. Envision a society where justice, compassion, and fairness reign supreme, a society that inspires generations yet unborn."

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Key Messages

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

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In this spirit, I pledge to serve as a tireless advocate, championing the causes that resonate deeply within our hearts. Let us forge a path towards accessible healthcare, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their circumstances, can embrace a life of wellness and vitality. Our children, those beacons of hope and inspiration, deserve an education that empowers them to shape their destinies and embark upon a journey of self-discovery. Together, we can alleviate the burdensome weight of high inflation and navigate the delicate balance of the debt ceiling, fostering an environment where prosperity and fiscal responsibility coexist harmoniously.

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In the realm of personal autonomy and women's rights, I stand firm in my conviction that every woman should have the freedom to make decisions about her own body, including the right to access safe and legal abortion. This deeply personal matter must be protected, ensuring that women are empowered to make choices that best align with their lives, health, and well-being.

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I am acutely aware of the urgent need to address climate change, safeguarding our planet for future generations. We must embrace sustainable practices, harness the power of renewable energy, and be stewards of our environment. The stakes are high, and together, we can create a greener, more resilient world.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Illinois District 6 in 2024.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Illinois

Election information in Illinois: March 19, 2024, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

• In-person: March 19, 2024
• By mail: Postmarked by Feb. 20, 2024
• Online: March 3, 2024

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

N/A

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

• In-person: March 18, 2024
• By mail: Received by March 14, 2024
• Online: March 14, 2024

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

• In-person: March 19, 2024
• By mail: Postmarked by March 19, 2024

Was early voting available to all voters?

N/A

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Feb. 8, 2024 to March 18, 2024

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

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

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

Campaign finance

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Sean Casten	Democratic Party	$3,128,625	$2,488,899	$694,143	As of December 31, 2024
Mahnoor Ahmad	Democratic Party	$97,025	$97,025	$0	As of August 12, 2024
Charles Hughes	Democratic Party	$7,947	$2,954	$0	As of May 7, 2024
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2024. 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.

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 2024 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 was the map in use at the time of the election. Click the map below to enlarge it.

See also: Primary election competitiveness in state and federal government, 2024

This section contains data on U.S. House primary election competitiveness in Illinois.

Illinois U.S. House competitiveness, 2014-2024
Year	Districts/ offices	Seats	Open seats	Candidates	Possible primaries	Contested Democratic primaries	Contested Republican primaries	% of contested primaries	Incumbents in contested primaries	% of incumbents in contested primaries
2024	17	17	0	46	34	5	6	32.4%	5	29.4%
2022	17	17	4	95	34	8	11	55.9%	7	46.7%
2020	18	18	1	73	36	13	8	58.3%	10	58.8%
2018	18	18	1	79	36	12	8	55.6%	7	41.2%
2016	18	18	1	49	36	8	6	38.9%	7	41.2%
2014	18	18	0	50	36	4	5	25.0%	3	16.7%

Post-filing deadline analysis

The following analysis covers all U.S. House districts up for election in Illinois in 2024. Information below was calculated on 2/16/2024, and may differ from information shown in the table above due to candidate replacements and withdrawals after that time. </noinclude>

Forty-nine candidates filed to run for Illinois' 17 U.S. House districts, including 24 Democrats and 25 Republicans. That's 2.59 candidates per district. In 2022, the first election after the number of Congressional districts in Illinois decreased from 18 to 17, 5.59 candidates filed per district.

In 2020, when the state still had 18 Congressional districts, 4.1 candidates ran. In 2018, 4.4 candidates did.

The number of total candidates who ran for the U.S. House in 2024 was the fewest since at least 2014.

All incumbents ran for re-election this year, meaning no seats were open for the first time since 2014. In 2022, four seats were open, and one seat was open in 2020, 2028, and 2016.

Six candidates—five Democrats and one Republican—ran in the 7th district, including incumbent Danny K. Davis (D). That was the most candidates who ran for a single district in 2024.

Eleven primaries were contested in 2024—five Democratic and six Republican. That was the fewest contested primaries since 2014, when nine were.

Five incumbents faced primary challengers—four Democrats and one Republican. That was also the fewest since 2014, when three incumbents faced primary challengers.

The 4th District was guaranteed to Democrats because no Republican candidates filed. The 15th and Illinois' 16th Congressional District were guaranteed to Republicans because no Democrats filed.

Partisan Voter Index

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

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+3. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 3 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Illinois' 6th the 182nd most Democratic district nationally.

2020 presidential election results

The table below shows what the vote in the 2020 presidential election would have been in this district. The presidential election data was compiled by Daily Kos.

2020 presidential results in Illinois' 6th based on 2024 district lines
Joe Biden	Donald Trump
54.5%	43.6%

Inside Elections Baselines

See also: Inside Elections

Inside Elections' Baseline is a figure that analyzes all federal and statewide election results from the district over the past four election cycles. The results are combined in an index estimating the strength of a typical Democratic or Republican candidate in the congressional district. The table below displays the Baseline data for this district.

Inside Elections Baseline for 2024
Democratic Baseline	Republican Baseline	Difference
53.1	43.7	D+9.3

Presidential voting history

See also: Presidential election in Illinois, 2020

Illinois presidential election results (1900-2020)

• 16 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
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

See also: Party control of Illinois state government

Congressional delegation

The table below displays the partisan composition of Illinois' congressional delegation as of May 2024.

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 May 2024.

State executive officials in Illinois, May 2024
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 February 2024
	Democratic Party	40
	Republican Party	19
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		59

Illinois House of Representatives

Party		As of February 2024
	Democratic Party	78
	Republican Party	40
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total		118

Trifecta control

The table below shows the state's trifecta status from 1992 until the 2024 election.

Illinois Party Control: 1992-2024
Eighteen 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
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
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
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

Ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for U.S. House candidates in Illinois in the 2024 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Illinois, click here.

Filing requirements for U.S. House candidates, 2024
State	Office	Party	Signatures required	Filing fee	Filing deadline	Source
Illinois	U.S. House	Democratic	685	N/A	12/4/2023	Source
Illinois	U.S. House	Republican	536	N/A	12/4/2023	Source
Illinois	U.S. House	Unaffiliated	12,188	N/A	6/24/2024	Source

See also

• Illinois' 6th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Republican primary)
• Illinois' 6th Congressional District election, 2024
• United States House elections in Illinois, 2024 (March 19 Democratic primaries)
• United States House elections in Illinois, 2024 (March 19 Republican primaries)
• United States House Democratic Party primaries, 2024
• United States House Republican Party primaries, 2024
• United States House of Representatives elections, 2024
• U.S. House battlegrounds, 2024

External links

Suggest a link

• 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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