Evanston’s Voice Was Heard and Our Work Made a Difference
The Democratic Party of Evanston (DPOE) is celebrating a night of decisive Democratic victories here in Evanston, across Cook County and Illinois, and throughout the nation.
DPOE’s mission is to elect Democrats and to amplify the voices of Evanstonians. Last night, those voices were heard loud and clear: at the ballot box.
Here at Home
A historic first in the U.S. Senate. Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won a decisive victory to succeed Sen. Dick Durbin to become our next U.S. Senator. When she joins Sen. Tammy Duckworth in January, Illinois will become the first state ever represented in the U.S. Senate by two women of color at the same time. We congratulate her and thank Sen. Durbin for his decades of service.
Strong and stable leadership for Illinois. Gov. JB Pritzker and new Lt. Gov.-elect Christian Mitchell won a third term, making Gov. Pritzker the first Illinois governor to win three terms since Jim Thompson. Illinois voters chose to protect the progress we have made, and to keep building on it.
A resounding win in the 9th District. Former Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss won a resounding victory in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, earning roughly three of every four votes cast. Evanston knows Daniel as a neighbor and a leader, and we are proud to send him to Washington. Daniel succeeds Rep. Jan Schakowsky, who has been a fierce champion for working families, health care, and seniors, and a constant presence in Evanston. Our gratitude to her is beyond measure.
A new State Senator. Patrick Hanley will head to Springfield as State Senator for the 9th State Senate District, which includes all of Evanston. Patrick won by a wide margin on a platform of affordability, health care, and environmental protections. We extend our deep thanks to outgoing State Senator Laura Fine for 14 years of service in Springfield: six years as State Representative for the 17th District and eight years as our State Senator. We are so grateful for her leadership on so many issues, including health care and mental health.
Our amazing Evanston leaders. We congratulate Evanston Committeewoman Robyn Gabel, our State Representative in the 18th District and Majority Leader of the Illinois House, on her re-election. Robyn’s leadership in Springfield delivers for Evanston every day. Congratulations, as well, to State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, and Evanston-based Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Cam Davis.
Every statewide office stays Democratic. Democrats down the ballot cruised to victory, each winning by at least 20 points. Attorney General Kwame Raoul won a third term. Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias was re-elected. Treasurer Mike Frerichs won again and is on track to become the longest-serving treasurer in state history. State Rep. Margaret Croke was elected Comptroller, the state’s first new comptroller in a decade.
A stronger supermajority in Springfield. Democrats flipped at least four seats in the General Assembly, expanding majorities that were already historic.
Cook County delivers. Democrats swept every countywide office. Board President Toni Preckwinkle handily won a fifth term. Pat Hynes was elected Assessor with more than 80%. Sheriff Tom Dart won a sixth term by more than 60 points. Clerk Monica Gordon and Treasurer Maria Pappas were re-elected unopposed. When the new board is seated, every member of the Cook County Board of Commissioners will be a Democrat.
Our courts. All 60 Cook County circuit judges on the ballot are on track to be retained, as well as Appellate Justice Bertina Lampkin.
We witnessed record turnout in Evanston, and we are so thankful to our DPOE volunteers who passed sample ballots at the polls, answered questions, shared information on our website and social media, and brought food to our hard-working election workers. A special thank you to Diane Denk, Ryan Flynn, Krissie Harris, Kathy Hayes, Jacqueline Mendoza, Ginny Lazarus, Jackson Paller, Nick Pyati, and Rachel Ruttenberg for their leadership.
Beyond Evanston
Evanston’s voice carried well past our city limits. Two of the night’s biggest wins came in Wisconsin, in races our volunteers poured their hearts into: calling voters from the DPOE office, writing postcards, and knocking on doors across the state line.
Rebecca Cooke, Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. Rebecca flipped WI-03, unseating Republican Rep. Derrick Van Orden in a rematch of their close 2024 race. Western Wisconsin will once again have a representative who fights for working families.
Mitchell Berman, Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District. Mitchell, an emergency room nurse, defeated Republican Rep. Bryan Steil in WI-01, a district rated Lean Republican by the major forecasters. He flipped a seat Republicans had held for more than 30 years.
By focusing on these two races, we can say with certainty that every effort made by our volunteers helped flip these seats! To every person who made a call, wrote a postcard, or drove north to knock a door: these victories are yours too. Thank you.
A special thank you to Andy Chusid, Ryan Flynn, Ginny Lazarus, Jacqueline Mendoza, Jane Neumann, Jackson Paller, and Rachel Ruttenberg for their leadership.
The Real Work Begins Now
When we win, it’s only the beginning. The real measure of last night is what our Democratic leaders deliver: lower costs, affordable health care, strong public schools, and a strong democracy for every family in Evanston, Illinois, and throughout the nation.
DPOE will keep doing what we do best. We will amplify the voices of Evanston Democrats, hold our elected officials to the promises they made, and build the volunteer power that helps Democratic candidates win, not just here at home but wherever we can make a difference. Onward!