U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen (D-Illinois) pictured in a campaign photo. (Provided)
U.S. Rep Eric Sorensen, a first-term Democrat representing Illinois’ 17th District, fended off a Republican challenge from retired judge Joe McGraw, the Associated Press said.
The race was eyed by political analysts as the most contested in Illinois, considered the only potential outlier among the heavily partisan boundaries that allowed every other incumbent to glide to victory.
“The red flag should be flown every time somebody says, ‘Oh, you can trust me,’” Sorensen said at a virtual news conference Wednesday morning. “But you know what? You should trust the people that show their work, and that’s what I’m all about.”
The 17th District, which covers parts of central, western and northwestern Illinois, was eyed by hopeful Republicans looking to maintain or expand their slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. McGraw’s bid drew attention from GOP leaders including U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson.
McGraw, a retired judge who spent nearly two decades overseeing the criminal division of the area’s circuit court, expressed gratitude to his supporters and campaign team in a statement on social media Wednesday morning.
“Our campaign gave voice to tens of thousands of Illinoisans who are sick of watching politicians stack the deck against working families, leaving our communities behind,” McGraw said. “I believe that America’s best days are ahead, and I look forward to continuing to work for the betterment of our community.”
Sorensen, a former meteorologist and the first openly gay member of the state’s congressional delegation, said voters recognized that he helped bring tax dollars to the district to repair crumbling infrastructure and aid residents recovering from flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
“In this district we look out for one another, we take care of each other,” Sorensen said. “On this day, the day after an Election Day, it’s about coming together.”
Sorensen said he and many other Democrats are struggling with the disappointment that Vice President Kamala Harris fell short in her history-making bid for the White House, but he expressed hope for what lies ahead.
“I’m going to do my part in Washington, on Capitol Hill, to make sure that I use my voice, that I use my vote, to make sure that we’re doing what’s right for the people of this district,” he told reporters.
Among his key priorities, Sorensen said he’s eager to pass a farm aid bill in the lame duck session. He also said he hopes to find like-minded lawmakers on both sides of the aisle who don’t take money from pharmaceutical companies and will help pass a bill to rein in drug costs, and that he wants to replace dangerous lead pipes carrying water to residents’ homes.
Sorensen also cited his commitment to labor, which could face challenges in a second Donald Trump administration. Asked about Trump’s threats to impose massive tariffs on Moline-headquartered John Deere for producing its equipment in Mexico — a claim the company says misrepresents the way it does business and its commitment to the U.S. economy — Sorensen said it benefits Illinoisans if Deere is “opening up new markets.”
“We need to make sure that policy is going to allow John Deere to grow and not constrict,” he said. “I’ll see that through to the end, because that’s great for our UAW workers in East Moline who are building the harvesters.”
Despite the deep political divisions in Illinois and around the U.S., Sorensen did his best to strike an optimistic and bipartisan tone.
“I don’t believe it should matter how you voted last night to determine what you deserve to get from your government going forward,” Sorensen said.
Contact Nick Blumberg: [email protected] | (773) 509-5434 | @ndblumberg
