IL Secretary Of State 2026 Primary Results: Joliet Woman Emerges Victorious In Republican Contest

ILLINOIS — Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias will be seeking to serve his second four-year term as the Democrat officeholder for one of the most powerful elected positions in state government.

But first, two Republican candidates, Diane Harris of Joliet and Walter Adamczyk of Chicago, competed against each other in the March 17th Republican primary. Giannoulias did not face any opposition on the Democratic ballot.

Polls closed at 7 p.m. in Illinois. Here's where things stand in the Republican primary. All election results are unofficial.

With 89 percent of the votes counted, The Associated Press was declaring Harris as the unofficial victor.

• Walter Adamczyk: 235,592 votes, 47 percent
• Diane Harris: 265,447 votes, 53 percent

Back in 2006, Giannoulias was elected the youngest state treasurer in the country at age 30. Over the past four years, Giannoulias has overseen the largest Secretary of State's office in the country, with more than 4,000 employees and 25 departments.

Giannoulias noted that he implemented his “Skip-the-Line” program, allowing Illinoisans to make appointments at the state’s busiest DMV facilities, which has reduced wait times, and cross-trained employees to increase efficiencies. To accommodate more on-demand requests for services, the office has deployed more mobile units, created “pop-up” DMVs and established multiple Senior Centers at no cost to the office, specifically designed to assist senior drivers.

Republican challenger Harris identified herself as "a conservative Republican, born and raised with Midwestern values as the second child of a stay-at-home mother and a professional chauffeur for over 30 years. We didn’t live beyond our means, and from a young age, I was taught the importance of integrity, kindness, helping others but working hard for the things needed to achieve. Those values have guided me throughout my personal and religious life, public service, and professional career," according to her website.

Harris noted that she retired from ComEd after 32 years of dedicated service in the electric utility industry.

As for her Republican primary opponent, Adamczyk said on his campaign Facebook page that he is "a lifelong resident of Chicago and I am a Lead ramp Agent at O'Hare Airport, I live in the Galewood Montclare area and I am a member of the Rutherford Sayrepark Advisory Council Also a member of Galewood Montclare Garden Club. In my spare time. I volunteer by providing blankets, sleeping bags and food to the homeless."