Local news projects that retired Judge Joe McGraw will secure the Republican nomination in Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. This victory sets the stage for a showdown with Democratic incumbent Eric Sorensen in a closely watched race this fall.
The 17th District, spanning from Rockford through the Iowa border and down to Peoria and Bloomington, was strategically drawn by Illinois Democrats to favor their party. In the 2020 election, Joe Biden would have carried the district by 8 points under its current lines. However, Sorensen managed to clinch the seat in 2022 by a narrower margin.
The upcoming general election in the 17th District is anticipated to be the sole competitive House race in Illinois this fall, as the remaining seats are considered safe for either party. Sorensen, a former Rockford and Quad Cities meteorologist, made history as the first openly gay individual elected to Congress from Illinois. He succeeded Rep. Cheri Bustos, a former chair of the House Democratic campaign arm.
