Primary Results in Sangamon County

Voters across Sangamon County went to the polls Tuesday, March 17, for the Illinois primary election, deciding party nominees in several high-profile races from governor to Congress to local offices.

In the Republican primary for governor, former state senator Darren Bailey secured the nomination and will face incumbent Democratic Governor JB Pritzker in November. Bailey previously ran against Pritzker in 2022 and returns as the Republican nominee for a second time.

Locally, incumbent Sheriff Paula Crouch won the Republican primary for Sangamon County sheriff, defeating former deputy David Timm by a margin of approximately 9 percentage points. Crouch, who was appointed sheriff in 2024, will now advance to the general election. Her campaign is backed by the Sangamon County Republican Party, along with former Sheriff Neil Williamson and Sangamon County State’s Attorney John Milhiser.

Voters also approved the creation of a Sangamon County Mental Health Board in a closely watched referendum. The measure passed with 53 percent voting in favor and 47 percent opposed. The board will be funded through a one-half percent increase in the county’s share of the local sales tax, excluding groceries, medicine, and services, and is intended to expand access to mental health and substance use services.

At the federal level, the retirement of longtime U.S. Senator Dick Durbin opened a Senate seat and drew competitive primaries in both parties. On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton won the nomination. In the Republican primary, former Illinois Republican Party chairman Don Tracy secured a decisive victory.

The race for Illinois comptroller also saw a competitive Democratic primary, with State Representative Margaret Croke winning the nomination. She will face Republican Bryan Drew in the general election.

In Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski won her party’s primary, while Republicans selected Champaign County Board member Jeff Wilson as their nominee. The two will face off in November.