La Shawn Ford Gets Democratic Nomination, Koppie Wins GOP Nod In 7th District Primary: AP

CHICAGO, IL – A longtime state representative was leading Tuesday in the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District, according to unofficial returns.

Thirteen candidates vied for the seat on the Democratic side. Two faced off in the GOP race.

About 10 p.m., the Associated Press called the Democratic race for state Rep. La Shawn Ford.

On the GOP side, Chad Koppie prevailed in a landslide.

The district, which includes parts of Chicago and inner suburbs, is Democratic turf. The AP calls it the most Democratic-leaning in Illinois.

The candidates are vying to replace the retiring Rep. Danny Davis, a Chicago Democrat, who has represented the district since 1997.

Unofficial vote tallies in the Democratic primary:

• La Shawn Ford: 24%
• Kina Collins: 14%
• Melissa Conyears-Ervin: 14%
• Anthony Driver: 10%
• Thomas Fisher: 8%
• Jason Friedman: 6%
• Reed Showalter: 6%
• Richard Boykin: 5%
• Anabel Mendoza: 5%
• Rory Hoskins: 4%
• Jazmin Robinson: 2%
• David Ehrlich: .5%
• Felix Tello: .25%

Unofficial vote tallies in the Republican primary:

• Chad Koppie: 68%
• Patricia Easley: 32%

The Democratic candidates:

• Richard Boykin, who served on the Cook County Board from 2014 to 2018 and as Davis' chief of staff from 1997 to 2006. Boykin said on his website, "As a child growing up in a family that spent time on public assistance, I know what it means to struggle to afford life's essentials: housing, food, healthcare and childcare. As a public servant, I have made it my mission to put the needs and concerns of our most vulnerable communities first."
• Kina Collins, a political organizer who is credited with founding the Chicago Neighborhood Alliance. "I was born and raised in Chicago's Austin neighborhood on the West Side. I come from a proud, union, working-class family," she said on her website.
• Melissa Conyears-Ervin, Chicago's elected city treasurer since 2019. "It's time for change. Residents in the 7th district want a member of Congress who works as hard as they do every day to make things better," she said on her campaign website. "What's going on in Washington right now isn't working right. We can do better."
• Anthony Driver, who is the executive director of the SEIU Illinois State Council. His website said, "In Congress, Anthony Driver Jr. will fight Donald Trump and the extreme MAGA Agenda. Anthony will stand up to Trump's illegal ICE raids that are tearing families apart. He will fight to stop Trump's tariffs that are raising the cost of nearly everything we buy."
• David Ehrlich, an adjunct lecturer and a former analyst for the U.S. Government Accountability Office. "Other candidates say they have experience in Congress. Dave actually does. 22 years' worth. No on-the-job training," his website said.
• Thomas Fisher, an emergency doctor. According to his website, Fisher has worked to improve health care on the South Side. "He's seen how suffering stems not from personal failure, but from political choices. He's running to represent Illinois' 7th congressional district to change those choices," his website said.
• La Shawn Ford, a state representative since 2007. His website notes that he was born to a teen mother in the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago. "After facing numerous challenges, including a house fire, he developed a strong work ethic, earning money from shoveling snow, mowing lawns, collecting bottles and cans for recycling, and stocking produce in the local community grocery store," his campaign website said.
• Jason Friedman, owner of Friedman Properties. "As the great-grandson of a peddler on Maxwell Street and the grandson of a hot dog stand owner on the West Side, I have deep roots in this community and want to go to Washington to defend our rights and bring relief to working families," Friedman said on his website.
• Rory Hoskins, the first Black mayor of Forest Park. According to his campaign website, "Hoskins has been a steady hand for his community, guiding Forest Park through the COVID-19 pandemic and expanding its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and public service."
• Anabel Mendoza, an immigrant rights organizer. She said on her website, "It's time for a new generation of leadership that will fight relentlessly for progressive policies. For too long, working people have been pitted against one another: split by race, immigration status, and even the neighborhoods we call home."
• Jazmin Robinson, a human resources manager. She proposed a public health plan with no premiums, deductibles or copays. She said private insurance costs would drop because the public plan would lower prices across the board.
• Reed Showalter, former roles include Federal Trade Commission attorney, U.S. Department of Justice counsel and White House National Economic Council senior policy adviser. On his website, he said, "We're running this the right way: NO corporate PAC, NO AIPAC, NO crypto, and NO MAGA money."
• Felix Tello, a technology engineer. "Forgive the bluntness. I'm not a machine politician. I'm a Constitutional Scholar, executive engineer and an activist for all rights in our U.S. Constitution, especially the Equal Rights Amendment," he said on his website.

The Republican candidates:

• Patricia Easley, who hosts "Black Excellence Hour" on WVON 1690 AM in Chicago. "The United States of America functions for the benefits of the citizens through our collective tax contributions. Every dollar should go to serve the needs of Americans before anyone else should be considered," she said in response to a Ballotpedia survey.
• Chad Koppie, a farmer and retired Delta Airlines pilot. "When you meet Chad Koppie, take a look at his hands. Those are the hands of a man who has worked hard all of his life. How many candidates for public office have truly ever worked a hard day in their life? That's why many of our country's best public servants have been farmers and hard-working middle class," his website says.