Who's In the Race

Democrat Melissa Bean will face Republican Jennifer Davis in the Nov. 3 general election for Illinois's 8th U.S. House District. The seat is open because Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) stepped down to run for the U.S. Senate, according to the Chicago Tribune. ​

Bean previously served as the U.S. representative for the district from 2005 to 2011 and owned a business before and during her public career. She won the Democratic primary with about 32 percent of the vote over runner-up Junaid Ahmed. Davis is an entrepreneur and technology business leader who co-founded Davisware with her husband and is a mother of ten. She won the Republican primary with about 51 percent of the vote over runner-up Mark Rice.

What They Stand For

Bean has proposed restoring middle-class affordability under a platform she calls "restoring the American dream," according to her campaign website. She's also made healthcare access a top campaign issue, along with workers' rights protections, immigration reform and reining in enforcement overreach, and small business support and expanded education opportunities.

Davis says affordability is a central concern and calls for cutting federal spending and lowering taxes, according to the Chicago Tribune. She also says tariffs are justified against unfair trade practices, according to the Chicago Tribune; she wants to cut federal taxes on working families, according to the Daily Herald; she would reduce regulations she believes burden small businesses and entrepreneurs, according to the Daily Herald; and healthcare costs and affordability are "kitchen-table issues," according to CBS News Chicago.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Bean raised about $2.1 million through June 30 and had about $145,000 in cash on hand. According to FEC filings, Davis raised about $1.5 million through June 30 and had about $730,000 in cash on hand; she carried $1 million in debt. Outside groups spent $6.4 million in the race as of Oct. 13, and about $5.5 million of that went to support Melissa Bean.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9. Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11. Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2.Kalshi traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Bean, a 93.13 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Democrats have held the district comfortably in recent cycles: Raja Krishnamoorthi won with about 57 percent in both 2022 and 2024. Statewide, Democrats won 14 of Illinois's 17 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Republicans winning the other three. Kamala Harris carried Illinois in the 2024 presidential election with about 54 percent of the vote.

Mail and in-person voter registration closed Oct. 6, online registration runs through Oct. 18, Lake County allows in-person grace-period registration and voting through Oct. 16, mail ballot applications are due Oct. 29, early voting in Lake County runs Sept. 24 through Nov. 2 (hours vary by site), and Election Day polls are open Nov. 3 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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