Illinois 8th Congressional District primary: Eight Democrats compete for Krishnamoorthi’s seat

As of March 17, 2026, 09:00 AM, the Illinois 8th Congressional District primary has eight Democratic candidates vying to replace U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is pursuing U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin’s open Senate seat. The crowded Democratic field will face off in Tuesday’s primary, with divergent policy priorities and outside spending shaping the race.

The best-funded contender is three-time former U.S. Representative Melissa Bean, who has returned to politics after leaving office in 2010. Bean’s campaign reports substantial outside support, including roughly $3.4 million from groups tied to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, and carries endorsements from Representatives Bill Foster, Brad Schneider, Nancy Pelosi and Senator Tammy Duckworth. Bean presents a pragmatic, moderate message and has cited her private-sector finance experience since 2010 as part of her pitch to voters in the solidly Democratic district redrawn in 2023, which runs from the Far Northwest Side near O’Hare west toward parts of Elgin and Geneva.

Other Democrats in the primary include Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, 2022 candidate Junaid Ahmed (endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders), businessman Neil Khot, former judge advocate Dan Tully, Hanover Park trustee Yasmeen Bankole, Des Plaines entrepreneur Sanjyot Dunung, and Ryan Vetticad, who recently reached the minimum age of 25 for House members. Progressive criticism has targeted Bean from several rivals. The Republican primary lists Jennifer Davis, Kevin Ake, Herbert Hebein and Mark Rice.