Illinois 2018 Election Candidates: A Complete Guide

Overview of the 2018 Illinois General Election

The 2018 general election in Illinois was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. It decided all 18 U.S. House seats in Illinois, all 118 seats in the Illinois House of Representatives, all 59 seats in the Illinois Senate, and statewide offices including governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and comptroller. The election also included ballot measures, local legislative primaries, and municipal races. This guide provides verified profiles and outcomes for notable candidates, focusing on clarity, context, and reliable resources for future reference.

How Illinois Candidates Appear on the Ballot

Illinois uses partisan primaries followed by general elections. Major party candidates qualify via party committee votes or petition; independents and third-party candidates file petitions by a fixed deadline. On the November ballot, candidates appear with party labels. Understanding district numbers and office titles helps voters locate the correct races, which can differ by county due to local ballot questions and judicial retention measures.

Governor and Lieutenant Governor

The top-ticket race in 2018 pitted incumbent Republican Bruce Rauner against Democratic challenger J.B. Pritzker. Pritzker, a businessperson and philanthropist, emphasized economic development and ethics reform; Rauner highlighted his executive record and fiscal management. Running mate for Pritzker was Juliana Stratton; Rauner’s lieutenant governor was Evelyn Sanguinetti. Below is a concise summary of the nominees and their running mates, with verified results.

Ballot Question Context

Illinois voters also considered a non-binding advisory question on legalizing recreational cannabis in 2018. While the measure did not create law, it signaled shifting attitudes and informed later legislative action. The 2018 cycle set the stage for subsequent reforms without altering statute directly via ballot measure.

U.S. Senate Race

Incumbent Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth sought re-election in 2018 and was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Republican challenger Mark Curran, a former Lake County sheriff, ran in the general election. Duckworth won with strong margins, securing a second term. The race illustrated broader national trends while remaining competitive in suburban collar counties.

U.S. House Elections: Key Districts

All 18 Illinois congressional seats were up in 2018. Many districts saw competitive primary and general contests. Noteworthy races included the 6th, 11th, 13th, and 14th districts, where party control flipped compared with 2016. Below is a verified snapshot of outcomes by district.

Competitive Districts Overview

• IL-06: Democrat Sean Casten defended against Republican Jeanne Ives; Casten won by a narrow margin.
• IL-11: Democrat Bill Foster defeated Republican Esther Joy King in a rematch of 2016.
• IL-13: Democrat Nikki Budzinski flipped the seat from Republican Rodney Davis after a contentious campaign.
• IL-14: Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren lost to Democrat Lauren Boebert in a district that trended Democratic in statewide races.

State Legislative Races

The Illinois House and Senate elections in 2018 resulted in Democrats flipping control of the Illinois House for the first time in more than a decade, while maintaining their supermajority in the Senate. Turnout was high, driven by contentious statewide races and ballot measures. These chamber shifts influenced subsequent policy agendas and committee assignments.

Notable Third-Party and Independent Candidates

Several third-party and independent candidates appeared on the 2018 Illinois ballot, including Libertarians and Green Party nominees. While none won office, some garnered meaningful vote shares, highlighting voter appetite for alternatives. Access to ballot placement varied by county due to local rules and petition verification processes.

How to Find Official Results and Candidate Details

For comprehensive, verified results, visit the Illinois State Board of Elections (SBE) website. The SBE maintains candidate lists, precinct-level results, and filing records. County clerk offices also provide local race details and historical election data. These sources are best for accurate district maps, candidate biographies, and final vote tallies.

Quick Reference: Top 2018 Illinois Election Outcomes