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Chicago, IL – Yesterday, local election authorities across Illinois finished counting votes in the April 4 Consolidated Elections. With all votes now counted, 85 of 119 candidates supported by the Democratic Party of Illinois were elected. In a clear rejection of extreme right-wing agendas, 75 out of 102 candidates that DPI communicated against lost their races. These numbers have grown since election day as all votes have now been received and counted by local election authorities.
DPI was able to reach voters in close races via its Regional Political Organizers who provided on the ground support to candidates and local partners. Organizers and volunteers made calls to voters, sent text messages, and knocked doors to get out the vote for credible community advocates throughout the state.
“Illinoisans continue to show us that they reject extremism and will show up to support candidates who want to build a more just and inclusive state for all. I’m glad that DPI was successful in our efforts to defend school and library boards against a regressive agenda being promoted by far-right individuals and organizations,” said DPI Chair Lisa Hernandez. “DPI will always step in when values like equality, fairness, and truth are at stake, and we’re just getting started as we build up new programming and resources for our Party.”
“This was an exciting program which I was thrilled to be a partner in, and I’m looking forward to seeing how the Democratic Party of Illinois continues to be a presence and a resource for Democrats year-round,” said Democratic Party of McHenry County Chair Kristina Zahorik. “Here in McHenry County, DPI supported candidates in several close races, and I’m confident that its efforts made a difference. Democratic momentum continues to surge here and across the state, and I’m excited to see what the future holds for Illinois Democrats.”
“DPI’s organizers were really helpful in providing support, especially for first time candidates, and making sure we were able to connect with voters who may not have known who was on their ballots otherwise. Too often, radical agendas go unchecked and unchallenged, particularly in local races, and I’m proud of all of our partners who stepped up to protect our kids’ futures,” said McLean County Democratic Party Chair Patrick Cortesi. “I was encouraged by results in McLean County Unit School District 5, where all of the extreme candidates on the ballot were defeated, and I look forward to continuing the work we’re doing here into the next cycle with our allies at DPI.”
The Democratic Party of Illinois launched this innovative program to prevent extremists from taking over school and library boards in response to dark money and candidate support from far-right organizations. DPI opposed candidates backed by known far-right organizations as well as those who have embraced values and policies that contradict those of the Party including censoring or banning books, blocking full spectrum sex education, teaching revisionist history and ignoring public health. Throughout this unprecedented program, DPI reached hundreds of thousands of individuals and households in Illinois via digital and mail communications as well as organizing support.
This initiative was brought forth as part of the new party building directive under the leadership of Chair Hernandez to provide year round support to Democrats through grassroots organizing and continuous voter engagement.
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