Daniel Biss Wins Illinois 9th Congressional District Seat
Daniel Biss defeated Republican John Elleson to win Illinois' 9th Congressional District, succeeding retiring Representative Jan Schakowsky.
Democratic candidate Daniel Biss won the election for Illinois' 9th Congressional District on November 3, 2026. The Associated Press called the race at 7:50 p.m., with Biss holding approximately 78% to 79% of the vote. Republican nominee John Elleson conceded the race via a phone call to Biss.
Biss, a former mayor of Evanston and member of the Illinois General Assembly, succeeds Jan Schakowsky, who has held the seat since 1999. To facilitate a special election for his mayoral replacement, Biss resigned from his position in Evanston on October 18. He is scheduled to take office in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2027.
During a victory speech at a Rogers Park watch party, Biss vowed to "put a check on this lawless administration" and intended to bring Evanston's model of solidarity against federal immigration enforcement to the national level. In other regional results, Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs declared victory for a fourth term.
