Last April, it looked like Emil Jones III’s political career was over.
The South Side Democratic state senator, an officeholder since 2008, was on trial for federal charges alleging he took bribes and then lied to federal authorities.
Gov. JB Pritzker asked for his resignation. But after a mistrial, Jones, who succeeded his father, announced in December that he reached an agreement with federal prosecutors that will keep him out of jail. Now he’s endorsed by large labor groups, and he’s potentially on the verge of beating two opponents in a March primary.
The power of multiple years of incumbency is hard to beat.
“Whether you have moderate or reform candidates or anti-machine candidates, it still gets down to money and organization,” said Kent Redfield, a political science professor emeritus at University of lllinois Springfield. “If people are running for legislative seats, don’t have money and don’t have organization, it’s very difficult for them to communicate.”
Newcomer Ahmed Karrar jumped into the race in January and Kenny Williams, who’s previously run for other offices, also is challenging Jones.
“I believe it is the time to have change in that position,” Williams said, referring to the seat he’s seeking.
“I’m running because working people in vulnerable communities have been neglected for some time now,” Karrar said. “I’m running to restore trust in government.”
Jones said he has competitors because of the charges he faced, which he said he can’t discuss.
“I think my record speaks for itself over the last 16 years. I have been straightforward on issues. I have been able to vote my conscience for years,” Jones said in an interview.
As for his electability, he says, “Jones is a household name in this district.”
Democratic leadership is no longer asking for his resignation.
“Senator Jones has a strong political apparatus and has demonstrated time and again he’s more than capable of running a good campaign that delivers his track record and message to the voters of his district. We’re keeping a close eye on that race,” said a spokesman for Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, who hasn’t formally endorsed Jones.
The only other incumbent state senator facing a challenge is on the North Side.
State Sen. Sara Feigenholtz faces a challenge from first-time candidate Nick Uniejewski in the 6th district, which includes North Side lakefront communities Lakeview, Lincoln Park and Near North.
Both candidates put transit at or near the top of their list of pressing issues. Feigenholtz touts her long record in the Illinois Senate and House, while Uniejewski is running on a message of change.
Uniejewski can’t compete as a fundraiser, and has instead relied on volunteers and social media messaging, particularly on TikTok. He said he and his supporters have knocked on tens of thousands of doors. Feigenholtz had more than $1.2 million in cash on hand at the end of last year, compared with just under $34,000 for Uniejewski.
In the 9th Senate district, Patrick Hanley and Rachel Ruttenberg are competing to succeed Laura Fine, who is running in a crowded field of candidates for the 9th Congressional District seat now open with Jan Schakowsky’s decision to retire.
In the Illinois House, incumbent Rep. Jaime Andrade Jr. faces a challenge from community organizer Miguel Alvelo Rivera in the 40th District.
Rivera is endorsed by at least five elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez and Alds. Rossana Rodríguez-Sánchez (33rd) and Anthony Quezada (35th). Rivera is running as a progressive outsider, while Andrade said he has a track record with voters.
In the Illinois House 8th District, Jill Bush, Shantel Franklin, John Harrell and Latonya Mitts are competing to succeed La Shawn Ford, who opted to run for the 7th Congressional District seat now open because of longtime incumbent Danny Davis’ retirement.
In the 12th House District, which includes northern lakefront neighborhoods, Margaret Croke is leaving to run for state comptroller. That leaves Paul Kendrick, Litcy Kurisinkal, Karim Lakhani and Mac LeBuhn battling for the chance to serve in Springfield.
Kendrick has racked up a number of endorsements, including one from Croke. He had more than $176,000 at the end of the year. LeBuhn wasn’t far behind with more than $145,000 at the end of the year.
After two terms in the Illinois House, Hoan Huynh jumped into the race to succeed Schakowsky, leaving a wide open race in the 13th District on the North Side. Five candidates are vying for the seat, including Adam Braun, Ridge Knapp, Sunjay Kumar, James O’Brien and Demi Palecek.
In the 34th District, Cleopatra Cowley and Aja Kearney are vying for the seat being vacated by Nick Smith, who decided not to seek re-election.
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