Illinois' 8th Congressional District

Illinois' 8th Congressional District

Incumbent

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Assumed office: January 3, 2017

Illinois' 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Raja Krishnamoorthi (D).

As of the 2020 Census, Illinois representatives represented an average of 754,279 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 714,688 residents.

Elections

• 2030
• 2028
• 2026
• 2024
• 2022
• 2020
• 2018

See also: Illinois's 8th Congressional District election, 2030

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2028

There are no official candidates yet for this election.

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2026

General election

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

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
		Junaid Ahmed
		Yasmeen Bankole
		Melissa Bean
		Sanjyot Dunung
		Neil Khot
		Kevin Morrison
		Dan Tully
		Ryan Vetticad

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Christ Kallas (D)
• Joseph Wentzel (D)

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Kevin Ake (R), Jennifer Davis (R), Herbert Hebein (R), and Mark Rice (R) are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
		Kevin Ake
		Jennifer Davis
	Submit photo	Herbert Hebein
		Mark Rice

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Mark Rice (R) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)	57.1	172,920
		Mark Rice (R)	42.9	130,153

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 303,073
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jorge Briseno (Independent)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi	100.0	34,640

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 34,640
= 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.

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Mark Rice (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mark Rice	100.0	24,362

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 24,362
= 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

• Abhijit Patel (R)

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Chris Dargis (R) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)	56.9	117,880
		Chris Dargis (R)	43.1	89,335

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 207,215
= 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

• Mohammed Faheem (Independent)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Junaid Ahmed (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi	70.3	29,933
		Junaid Ahmed	29.7	12,627

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 42,560
= 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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Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Chris Dargis (R) defeated Phillip Wood (R), Peter Kopsaftis (R), Karen Kolodziej (R), and Chad Koppie (R) in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Dargis	32.0	11,055
		Phillip Wood	18.9	6,529
		Peter Kopsaftis	17.6	6,101
	Submit photo	Karen Kolodziej	17.4	6,017
		Chad Koppie	14.1	4,886

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 34,588
= 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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See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Preston Nelson (L) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)	73.2	186,251
		Preston Nelson (L)	26.8	68,327

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 254,578
= 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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Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated W. Thomas La Fontaine Olson (D) and Inam Hussain (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi	79.9	51,829
		W. Thomas La Fontaine Olson	13.0	8,441
	Submit photo	Inam Hussain	7.0	4,563

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 64,833
= 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

• Mohammed Faheem (D)

Republican primary

The Republican primary scheduled for March 17, 2020, was canceled.

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Jitendra Diganvker (R) in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)	66.0	130,054
		Jitendra Diganvker (R)	34.0	67,073

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 197,127 (100% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andrew Straw (Disability Party)

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Incumbent Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 20, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Raja Krishnamoorthi	100.0	44,042

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 44,042
= 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.

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8

Jitendra Diganvker (R) advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 8 on March 20, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jitendra Diganvker	100.0	25,448

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 25,448
= 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

• Vandana Jhingan (R)

Previous election results

2016

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. The seat was open following incumbent Tammy Duckworth's U.S. Senate run. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) defeated Pete DiCianni (R) and write-in candidate Andrew Straw in the general election on November 8, 2016.

Krishnamoorthi defeated Michael Noland and Deb Bullwinkel in the Democratic primary on March 15, 2016. DiCianni defeated write-in candidate Andrew Straw in the Republican primary.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Raja Krishnamoorthi	58.3%	144,954
	Republican	Pete DiCianni	41.7%	103,617
	Write-in votes	Andrew Straw	0%	5
Total Votes				248,576
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Raja Krishnamoorthi	57%	44,950
Michael Noland	29.1%	22,925
Deb Bullwinkel	14%	11,005
Total Votes		78,880
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections

2014

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 8th Congressional District of Illinois held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Tammy Duckworth (D) defeated challenger Lawrence Kaifesh (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Tammy Duckworth Incumbent	55.7%	84,178
	Republican	Lawrence Kaifesh	44.3%	66,878
Total Votes				151,056
Source: Illinois State Board of Elections Official Results

General election candidates

• Lawrence Kaifesh
• Tammy Duckworth - Incumbent

March 18, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

• Manju Goel
• Lawrence Kaifesha

Democratic Primary

• Tammy Duckworth - Incumbenta

2012

See also: Illinois' 8th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 8th Congressional District of Illinois held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Newcomer Tammy Duckworth beat incumbent Joe Walsh in the election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Tammy Duckworth	54.7%	123,206
	Republican	Joe Walsh Incumbent	45.3%	101,860
	Independent	Robert Gregory Canfield	0%	0
Total Votes				225,066
Source: Illinois Board of Elections "2012 General Election Official Vote Totals"

2010
On November 2, 2010, Joe Walsh won election to the United States House. He defeated Melissa L. Bean (D) and Bill Scheurer (G) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joe Walsh	48.5%	98,115
	Democratic	Melissa L. Bean incumbent	48.3%	97,825
	Green	Bill Scheurer	3.2%	6,495
Total Votes				202,435

2008
On November 4, 2008, Melissa Bean won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Steve Greenberg (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Melissa Bean incumbent	60.7%	179,444
	Republican	Steve Greenberg	39.3%	116,081
Total Votes				295,525

2006
On November 7, 2006, Melissa Bean won re-election to the United States House. She defeated David McSweeney (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Melissa Bean incumbent	50.9%	93,355
	Republican	David McSweeney	44%	80,720
	N/A	Write-in	5.1%	9,319
Total Votes				183,394

2004
On November 2, 2004, Melissa Bean won election to the United States House. She defeated Philip M. Crane (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Melissa Bean	51.7%	139,792
	Republican	Philip M. Crane incumbent	48.3%	130,601
Total Votes				270,393

2002
On November 5, 2002, Philip M. Crane won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Melissa Bean (D) and Chuck Kelecic (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Philip M. Crane incumbent	57.4%	95,275
	Democratic	Melissa Bean	42.6%	70,626
	Write-in	Chuck Kelecic	0%	25
Total Votes				165,926

2000
On November 7, 2000, Philip M. Crane won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Lance Pressl (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, Illinois District 8 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Philip M. Crane incumbent	61%	141,918
	Democratic	Lance Pressl	39%	90,777
Total Votes				232,695

District map

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Illinois after the 2020 census

Illinois enacted a congressional map on November 24, 2021, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed the proposal into law. The Illinois State Senate voted 41-18 in favor of the map on October 28, 2021, followed by the Illinois House of Representatives voting 71-43 in favor on October 29, 2021.

How does redistricting in Illinois work? The Illinois General Assembly is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a redistricting plan. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.

In the event that both chambers of the state legislature do not approve a legislative redistricting plan, a backup commission must draw the lines. The majority and minority leaders of each chamber must appoint two members each to the commission (one legislator and one general citizen). Of the eight commission members, no more than four may belong to the same political party. In the event that these eight members cannot approve a plan, the Illinois Supreme Court must select two individuals (from different political parties) as potential tiebreakers. The secretary of state must then appoint one of these individuals to the backup commission to break the tie.

The Illinois Constitution requires that state legislative districts be "contiguous and reasonably compact." There are no such requirements in place for the state's congressional districts.

State law also mandates the establishment of state legislative districts "that allow racial or language minority communities to elect--or influence the election of--the candidates of their choice, even if no comparable district would be required by the federal Voting Rights Act."

2020

2024

2010-2011

This is the 8th Congressional District of Illinois after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Illinois after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Illinois State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

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

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

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+5. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 5 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Illinois' 8th the 163rd most Democratic district nationally.

2024

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+6. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 6 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Illinois' 8th the 159th most Democratic district nationally.

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) 56.8%-41.4%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+6. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 6 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Illinois' 8th the 158th most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 56.8% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 41.4%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+8. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 8 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made Illinois' 8th Congressional District the 135th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.22. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.22 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Illinois
• Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2024
• Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2022
• Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2020
• Illinois' 8th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 8

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)