2018 Illinois elections
← 2016 November 6, 2018 2020 →
Turnout57.23%
Elections in Illinois
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A general election was held in the U.S. state of Illinois on November 6, 2018. The elections for Illinois's 18 congressional districts, Governor, statewide constitutional officers, Illinois Senate, and Illinois House were held on this date.

Primaries were held March 20, 2018.

The Democratic Party made gains, including picking up the state's governorship and flipping two of its U.S. House seats. After the election, all executive offices and control of the Illinois General Assembly was held by the Democratic Party. Conversely the Republican Party experienced what was regarded to be their worst defeat in the state since at least 2006.[1]

Election information

2018 was a midterm election year in the United States.

Turnout

See also: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election § Turnout, and 2018 Illinois Attorney General election § Turnout

Primary election

For the primary election, turnout was 26.48%, with 2,103,634 votes cast.[2]

Turnout by county[2]

General election

For the general election, turnout was 57.23%, with 4,635,541 votes cast.[3] The Illinois State Board of Elections reported that this general election turnout rate was the third-highest for a midterm election over the past forty years.[4] The Illinois State Board of Elections also reported that the total number of votes cast set a record high.[4] Voter registration, at 8.1 million, also sat at a record high.[4]

Turnout was considered high in the United States during the 2018 midterm elections, with it being the highest national midterm turnout since 1914.[5]

Turnout by county[3]

Federal elections

United States House

Main articles: 2018 United States House of Representatives elections in Illinois and 2018 United States House of Representatives elections

All of Illinois' 18 seats in the United States House of Representatives were up for election in 2018.

The Democratic Party flipped two Republican-held seat, making the composition of Illinois' House delegation 13 Democrats and 5 Republicans.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

Main article: 2018 Illinois gubernatorial election

Incumbent Republican governor Bruce Rauner ran for re-election to a second term, but was defeated by Democratic venture capitalist and billionaire J. B. Pritzker.

2018 Illinois gubernatorial election
← 2014 November 6, 2018 (2018-11-06) 2022 →
Turnout56.15%
 
Nominee J. B. Pritzker Bruce Rauner
Party Democratic Republican
Running mate Juliana Stratton Evelyn Sanguinetti
Popular vote 2,479,746 1,765,751
Percentage 54.5% 38.8%
County results
Pritzker:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Rauner:      30–40%      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Governor before election

Bruce Rauner
Republican

Elected Governor

J. B. Pritzker
Democratic

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. B. Pritzker 597,756 45.1
Democratic Daniel Biss 353,625 26.7
Democratic Chris Kennedy 322,730 24.4
Democratic Tio Hardiman 21,075 1.6
Democratic Bob Daiber 15,009 1.1
Democratic Robert Marshall 14,353 1.1
Total votes 1,324,548 100.0

Republican primary

Republican primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bruce Rauner (incumbent) 372,124 51.5
Republican Jeanne Ives 350,038 48.5
Total votes 722,162 100.0

General election

Illinois gubernatorial election, 2018[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J. B. Pritzker/Juliana Stratton 2,479,746 54.5
Republican Bruce Rauner/Evelyn Sanguinetti (incumbent) 1,765,751 38.8
Conservative Sam McCann/Aaron Merreighn 192,527 4.2
Libertarian Kash Jackson/Sanj Mohip 109,518 2.4
Write-in 115 0.0
Total votes 4,547,657 100.0
Democratic gain from Republican

Attorney general

Main article: 2018 Illinois Attorney General election
Illinois Attorney General election, 2018
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
Turnout56.16%
 
Nominee Kwame Raoul Erika Harold
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,488,326 1,944,142
Percentage 54.7% 42.7%
County results
Raoul:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Harold:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Attorney General before election

Lisa Madigan
Democratic

Elected Attorney General

Kwame Raoul
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic attorney general Lisa Madigan, who served since 2003, chose not to run for re-election to a fifth term. Democratic state Senator Kwame Raoul defeated Republican Erika Harold.[8]

Democratic primary

Democratic primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kwame Raoul 390,472 30.2
Democratic Pat Quinn 352,425 27.2
Democratic Sharon Fairley 164,304 12.7
Democratic Nancy Rotering 123,446 9.5
Democratic Scott Drury 102,193 7.9
Democratic Jesse Ruiz 70,158 5.4
Democratic Renato Mariotti 51,902 4.0
Democratic Aaron Goldstein 39,196 3.0
Total votes 1,294,096 100.0

Republican primary

Republican primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Erika Harold 389,197 59.2
Republican Gary Grasso 268,688 40.8
Total votes 657,885 100.0

General election

Illinois Attorney General election, 2018[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kwame Raoul 2,488,326 54.7
Republican Erika Harold 1,944,142 42.7
Libertarian Bubba Harsy 115,941 2.6
Total votes 4,548,409 100.0
Democratic hold

Secretary of state

Illinois Secretary of State election, 2018
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
Turnout56.44%
 
Nominee Jesse White Jason Helland
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 3,120,207 1,336,079
Percentage 68.3% 29.2%
White:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
     80–90%
Helland:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%
Secretary of State before election

Jesse White
Democratic

Elected Secretary of State

Jesse White
Democratic

Incumbent Democratic secretary of state Jesse White, who has been in office since 1999, initially announced in August 2015 that he would retire.[9] On August 17, 2017, White reversed this decision and announced that he would run for re-election to a sixth term.[10] Governing magazine projected the race as "safe Democratic".[11]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared
Withdrew
Declined

Results

Democratic primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jesse White (incumbent) 1,209,978 100.0
Total votes 1,209,978 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared
Declined

Results

Republican primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jason Helland 609,190 100.0
Total votes 609,190 100.0

Endorsements

Steve Dutner (L)
Newspapers
Jason Helland (R)
Newspapers
Jesse White (D)
Newspapers

General election

Results

Illinois Secretary of State election, 2018[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Jesse White (incumbent) 3,120,207 68.26% +2.56%
Republican Jason Helland 1,336,079 29.23% -2.16%
Libertarian Steve Dutner 114,556 2.51% -0.38%
Total votes 4,570,842 100.0%
Democratic hold

Comptroller

Illinois Comptroller election, 2018
← 2016 (special) November 6, 2018 2022 →
Turnout56.00%
 
Nominee Susana Mendoza Darlene Senger
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,716,853 1,678,346
Percentage 59.9% 37.0%
County results
Mendoza:      40–50%      50–60%      70–80%
Senger:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Comptroller before election

Susana Mendoza
Democratic

Elected Comptroller

Susana Mendoza
Democratic

Incumbent Republican Judy Baar Topinka died on December 10, 2014, after being re-elected to a second term in office. A special election was held in 2016 for the remainder of the term, with Democratic City Clerk of Chicago Susana Mendoza defeating appointed Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger. Mendoza won a full term.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Democratic primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Susana Mendoza (incumbent) 1,147,095 100.0
Total votes 1,147,095 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Darlene Senger 607,187 100.0
Total votes 607,187 100.0

Third parties and independents

Candidates

Declared

General election

Results

Illinois State Comptroller election, 2018[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Susana Mendoza (incumbent) 2,716,853 59.90% +10.45%
Republican Darlene Senger 1,678,346 37.00% -7.43%
Libertarian Claire Ball 140,543 3.10% -0.36%
Write-in 17 0.00% N/A
Total votes 4,535,759 100.0%
Democratic hold

Treasurer

Illinois Treasurer election, 2018
← 2014 November 6, 2018 2022 →
Turnout55.56%
 
Nominee Mike Frerichs Jim Dodge
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 2,593,816 1,750,897
Percentage 57.6% 38.9%
County results
Frerichs:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
Dodge:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
Treasurer before election

Mike Frerichs
Democratic

Elected Treasurer

Mike Frerichs
Democratic

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Democratic primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Frerichs (incumbent) 1,087,950 100.0
Total votes 1,087,950 100.0

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

Results

Republican primary results[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Dodge 602,626 100.0
Total votes 602,626 100.0

General election

Results

Illinois State Treasurer election, 2018[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Mike Frerichs (incumbent) 2,593,816 57.64% +9.59%
Republican Jim Dodge 1,750,897 38.91% -8.88%
Libertarian Mike Leheney 155,256 3.45% -0.71%
Write-in 2 0.0% N/A
Total votes 4,499,971 100.0%
Democratic hold

State senate

Main article: 2018 Illinois Senate election

One-third of the seats of the Illinois Senate were up for election in 2018.

State House of Representatives

Main article: 2018 Illinois House of Representatives election

All of the seats in the Illinois House of Representatives were up for election in 2018.

Judicial elections

Main article: 2018 Illinois judicial elections

Judicial elections were held, consisting of both partisan and retention elections, including those for one seat in the Supreme Court of Illinois and five seats in the Illinois Appellate Court.[23][24]

Local elections

Local elections took place, including county elections such as the Cook County elections.

Notes

  1. ^ For more on Cook County primary turnout, see 2018 Cook County, Illinois elections#Voter turnout
  2. ^ For more on Cook County general election turnout, see 2018 Cook County, Illinois elections#Voter turnout

References

  1. ^ "How Illinois Democrats won a statewide sweep and 2 pivotal congressional seats in the midterm elections". Chicago Tribune. November 7, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ a b "Voter Turnout". www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved March 22, 2020.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ a b c "VOTER TURNOUT, CYBERSECURITY, AUTOMATIC VOTER REGISTRATION MARK EVENTFUL YEAR FOR SBE" (PDF). www.elections.il.gov. Illinois State Board of Elections. December 21, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Aytaç, S. Erdem; Stokes, Susan (November 20, 2018). "Americans just set a turnout record for the midterms, voting at the highest rate since 1914. This explains why". Washington Post.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "2018 GENERAL PRIMARY - Election Results". Illinois State Board of Elections.
  7. ^ a b c d e "2018 GENERAL ELECTION - Election Results". Illinois State Board of Elections.
  8. ^ Pearson, Rick (May 14, 2017). "Boxed in by father, Lisa Madigan seeks fifth term as Illinois attorney general". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  9. ^ Schlikerman, Becky (August 20, 2015). "Secretary of State Jesse White won't seek re-election". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved July 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Garcia, Monique (August 17, 2017). "Secretary of State Jesse White says he'll run for a record sixth term". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  11. ^ Jacobson, Louis (June 4, 2018). "Secretary of State Races Are More Competitive and Important Than Ever". Governing. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Miller, Rich (September 20, 2017). "Hastings circulating petitions for SoS and AG as Ald. Burnett declares he's not circulating". Capitol Fax. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  13. ^ Candidate Detail, Illinois State Board of Elections, Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  14. ^ Miller, Rich (October 5, 2017). "Rauner candidate emerges for secretary of state". Capitol Fax. Retrieved October 5, 2017.
  15. ^ a b c "Rauner faces war on two fronts as Republican challenger Ives attacks", Chicago Tribune, December 4, 2017. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  16. ^ Maxwell, Mark (July 20, 2017). "Iraq war vet could challenge Jesse White". WCIA. Retrieved August 17, 2017.
  17. ^ "SJ-R Endorses Libertarian For Secretary Of State". www.wmay.com. WMAY. October 18, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  18. ^ Board, Daily Herald Editorial (October 10, 2018). "Endorsement: Daily Herald backs Jason Helland over Jesse White for secretary of state". Daily Herald. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  19. ^ "ENDORSEMENT: Jesse White for Illinois secretary of state". Chicago Sun-Times. October 10, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  20. ^ "Chicago Tribune Editorial Board endorsements in the 2018 Illinois midterm election". chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. October 12, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  21. ^ Sterrett, Craig (February 12, 2018). "State, local candidates woo Democrats at La Salle". LaSalle News-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 12, 2018. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  22. ^ Bishop, Greg (April 3, 2017). "Medical cannabis dispensary and third-party candidates look forward after court victory". Illinois News Network. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
  23. ^ "Illinois Supreme Court elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  24. ^ "Illinois intermediate appellate court elections, 2018". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 2, 2020.

External links

Elections in Illinois
(2017 ←)   2018 United States elections   (→ 2019)
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