Former Rep. Melissa Bean won the Democratic primary for Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi's seat, while Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss secured the Democratic nomination for Rep. Jan Schakowsky's district, according to Decision Desk HQ projections. Bean previously represented a version of the Chicago-area 8th Congressional District until losing her bid for a fourth term in 2010.
Both races involved sitting Democratic representatives stepping aside, creating open primaries that attracted multiple candidates. Krishnamoorthi and Schakowsky's decisions not to seek reelection opened competitive contests in traditionally Democratic districts.
Biss's victory came in a primary that was largely defined by candidates' positions on Israel support. He defeated Illinois state Sen. Laura Fine and progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh, among other candidates, while enjoying Schakowsky's endorsement in the race. The Israel issue created clear divisions among Democratic primary voters in the district.
The outcomes reflect different coalition dynamics within the Democratic Party, with Bean representing an establishment comeback and Biss navigating foreign policy divisions that have emerged as significant factors in Democratic primaries. Both candidates will likely face minimal Republican opposition in their respective districts in November.
These primary results demonstrate how local Democratic contests are increasingly shaped by both traditional party dynamics and newer ideological divides, particularly around international issues that have become more prominent in intra-party competition.