Commissioner Donna Miller beat out former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., and state Sen. Robert Peters, D-Ill., in a Democratic primary race on Tuesday evening, teeing up her bid to represent one of the states many reliably blue seats.
Miller centered her campaign on like affordability and maternity on her website and social media.
“In Congress, Ill defend reproductive rights and lower costs,” Miller, a former board member for Planned Parenthood, said in a campaign video.
She raised $1.9 million, according to FEC records, dwarfing contributions from Peters and Jackson.
Miller looks to fill the seat of a seven-term incumbent pursuing a bid for U.S. Senate.
As one of 17 commissioners, Miller helped manage the affairs of Cook County, including managing its finances, meeting state and federal requirements and overseeing county operations.
Miller first joined the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2018. Before her time with Cook County, she served in leadership positions in a number of organizations, including as a board member of Planned Parenthood of Illinois, vice president of Illinois Democratic Women and president of the Democratic Women of South Suburbs, according to her website.
begins at its northernmost point in the heart of Chicago and stretches down about a two-hour drive south along the states border with Indiana.
The district has been a Democratic stronghold for 70 years. Kelly, its incumbent, last won re-election in 2024 by a 35.1% margin over Republican challenger Ashley Ramos.
Its last Republican representative, Richard B. Vail, lost re-election in 1952.
Having secured the Democratic nomination for the district, Miller will face off against Mike Noack in November, a truck driver who is running unopposed as the Republican candidate.
