Ford’s Suburban Edge Carries Him Past Conyears-Ervin in 7th District Democratic Primary

The 7th Congressional District and 8th Legislative District will likely have new Democratic standard-bearers this fall after voters across Chicago and suburban Cook County cast ballots in the March 17 primary election.

As of Wednesday afternoon, state Rep. La Shawn K. Ford, who gave up his 8th District seat in Springfield after two decades to run for Congress, held a narrow but insurmountable lead in the crowded Democratic primary to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis. Ford won with 23.9% of the vote, defeating Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who finished second with 20.5%, according to unofficial results.

Conyears-Ervin ran competitively in Chicago, but Ford built the margin he needed in the suburbs, where he benefited from durable name recognition and key establishment support. While the two front-runners were neck-and-neck in the city, as of Wednesday, Ford was ahead of Conyears-Ervin by over 3,000 votes in the west suburbs. His endorsements from Davis and Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, the Hillside resident who also leads the Proviso Township Democratic organization, helped anchor Ford’s suburban strength in the district’s vote-rich western flank. 

Ford will face Republican Chad Koppie in the November general election. Koppie defeated Austin native Patricia “P. Rae” Easley in the GOP primary, winning roughly 66% of the vote to Easley’s 34%. During the campaign, Koppie drew attention after acknowledging at a public forum that he does not live in the 7th Congressional District, an unusual detail in a race where residency and local familiarity were recurring themes.

Anthony Driver Jr., the SEIU Local 73 leader and community activist, finished third with 11% of the vote, followed by Kina Collins at 9%. South Side physician Thomas Fisher received 7.6%, while businessman Jason Friedman, who raised the most money in the race, finished with 7.5%.

In the 8th District state House race, Democratic voters selected Shantel Franklin to succeed Ford in Springfield. Franklin defeated Latonya Mitts, Jill Bush, and John Harrell in the Democratic primary with roughly 46% of the vote. With no Republican candidate running, Franklin is positioned to become the district’s next representative in November.

The primary also reshaped several marquee countywide and statewide contests.

In the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton won the nomination to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin. Stratton took 40% of the vote, finishing ahead of U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who drew 33%, and U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly, who received 18%. Stratton will face Republican Don Tracy, a former chair of the Illinois Republican Party, in November.

In Cook County’s assessor race, Lyons Township Assessor Pat Hynes defeated incumbent Fritz Kaegi in the Democratic primary, denying Kaegi a third term. With more than 86% of precincts reporting on election night, Hynes was leading 52.5% to 47.5%, and Kaegi conceded. With no Republican on the ballot, Hynes is now positioned to become the county’s next assessor.

And in the Democratic primary for Cook County Board president, incumbent Toni Preckwinkle easily turned back a challenge from Ald. Brendan Reilly, winning 68.5% to 31.5%. She now heads to the general election as the clear favorite to secure a fifth term. The Sun-Times reported that no Republican candidate is running for the office; Libertarian Michael Murphy, an Austin resident, is on track to appear on the November ballot.

In Cook County Board races covering much of the West Side and nearby west suburbs, Tara Stamps secured the Democratic nomination in the 1st District without opposition, receiving all reported votes in a race where she also faces no Republican challenger in November. In the neighboring 2nd District, incumbent Michael Scott Jr. defeated challenger Andre Smith by a wide margin, leading 64.45% to 35.55% with most precincts reported. Scott also has no Republican opponent, effectively positioning both Democrats to retain their seats heading into the general election.  

Taken together, the results suggest both continuity and transition. Ford’s victory showed the continuing power of the west suburban Democratic organization in the 7th Congressional District, while Franklin’s win in the 8th House District signaled the opening of a new chapter in a seat Ford had held for 20 years. Countywide, voters opted for change in the assessor’s office while sticking with familiar leadership at the top of Cook County government.

For full Chicago unofficial election results, click here. For full suburban unofficial election results, click here.