CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, IL (Chambana Today) — Champaign County voters cast ballots on March 17 in the Illinois primary election, selecting nominees from the Democratic and Republican parties for federal, state, and local offices. Voters could choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot for partisan races.

Local County Races

Champaign County Executive (Democratic primary):

  • Michelle Jett (D) – Democratic candidate.
  • Sanford Hess (D) – Democratic candidate.

There were no Republican candidates for this local office on the primary ballot.

Champaign County Clerk:

  • Aaron Ammons (D) – Running unopposed in the Democratic contest.

Champaign County Sheriff:

  • Dustin D. Heuerman (D) – Democrat.
  • Gregory A. Worrell (R) – Republican.

Champaign County Treasurer:

  • Byron Clark (D) – Democrat. (No Republican challenger listed on county records.)

Champaign County Board (Candidates representing various districts appeared on both Democratic and Republican ballots):

  • District 1: Andrew Schuyler (R)
  • District 2: Thomas Ed Sexton (R)
  • District 3: Aaron L. Esry (R)
  • District 4: Jennifer Lokshin (D)
  • District 5: Bethany A. Vanichtheeranont (D)
  • District 6: Chyna Figueroa-Dixon (D), Ryan Musgrove (D)
  • District 7: William Schoell (D)
  • District 8: Stephanie Fortado (D)
  • District 9: Jason Votava (D)
  • District 10: Monique Settles (D)
  • District 11: Lorraine Cowart (D)

Precinct Committee Persons:
Various precinct committee seats were contested with candidates from both major parties. These roles help represent voters within the party structure and can influence local party leadership.

Federal Races on the Ballot

U.S. House — Illinois’ 13th Congressional District:
Representing much of Champaign County in Congress, this race drew candidates from both parties:

Democratic Primary:

  • Nikki Budzinski (D) – Incumbent U.S. Representative seeking renomination.
  • Dylan Blaha (D) – Challenger.

Republican Primary:

  • Jeff Wilson (R) – Champaign County Board member.
  • Joshua Loyd (R) – Previous IL-13 candidate.

U.S. Senate (Statewide) (Champaign County voters could also participate in the statewide U.S. Senate primary):

Democratic Candidates for U.S. Senate

  • Juliana Stratton (D)
  • Robin Kelly (D)
  • Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)
  • Steve Botsford Jr. (D)
  • Sean Brown (D)
  • Awisi A. Bustos (D)
  • Jonathan Dean (D)
  • Bryan Maxwell (D)
  • Kevin Ryan (D)
  • Christopher Swann (D)

U.S. Senate Republican field included:

  • Casey Chlebek (R)
  • Don Tracy (R)
  • R. Cary Capparelli (R)
  • Pamela Denise Long (R)
  • Jimmy Lee Tillman II (R)
  • Jeannie Evans (R)

How the Primary Worked

  • Illinois held an open primary, meaning voters could choose which party’s ballot to cast on March 17.
  • Early voting was available across Champaign County before March 17 at multiple locations.

What Comes Next

The winners in each party’s primary races will advance as their party nominees for the November 3, 2026 general election, when voters will choose among the Democratic and Republican nominees for federal, state, and county offices.