Following the recent March primary elections, several Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) candidates have secured their places on the November general election ballot. Spanning federal, state, and county-level offices, the results solidify the roster of AAPI candidates moving forward in Illinois.
Here is an update on the AAPI candidates advancing to the general election:
Federal Offices
Anita Rao (I) - U.S. House, 7th District [ADVANCED*]
*Because Anita Rao is running as an Independent candidate, she bypasses the partisan primary process entirely. Independent candidates do not compete for a party nomination in March; instead, they advance directly to the general election ballot in November after satisfying state petition requirements.
Running as an Independent in the 2026 election cycle, Rao bypassed the traditional partisan primary process and is listed on the ballot as an Independent candidate. In a district with a long history of entrenched incumbency, her campaign represents a push for alternative voices in Congress. For our community here in Chicago, seeing an AAPI candidate challenge the status quo at the federal level is an important milestone in our continued civic engagement.
Sources: https://ballotpedia.org/ | https://www.elections.il.gov/ | https://www.anitarao.com/about
Statewide & County Offices
Josina Morita (D) - Cook County Commissioner, 13th District
Cook County records note Commissioner Morita as the first Asian American woman to serve on the Cook County Board. She is widely respected for her deep background in urban planning and her fierce advocacy for environmental justice, water policy, and equitable public transit. For Asian Americans across Chicagoland, Morita continues to be a vital voice ensuring our neighborhoods receive responsive, culturally competent county services.
Sources: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/ | https://ballotpedia.org/ | https://www.josinamorita.com/
Melissa Villanueva (D) - DuPage County Board, 1st District
A proud Filipino American and the founder of the popular Brewpoint Coffee, Villanueva recently won the Democratic primary for DuPage County Board in the 2026 election cycle. She is bringing her entrepreneurial background directly to county government. Her platform centers on economic development, supporting small businesses, and addressing housing affordability to build a more sustainable local ecosystem.
Sources: https://www.dailyherald.com/ | https://ballotpedia.org/ | https://www.melissavillanueva.com/
Yeena Yoo (D) - DuPage County Treasurer
Currently serving on the DuPage County Board, Yoo is an attorney who has spent over a decade advocating for low-income families, immigrants, and senior citizens. In the 2026 election cycle, she won the Democratic primary for DuPage County Treasurer on a platform of modernizing the office, improving systemic inefficiencies, and expanding community outreach so taxpayers actually get the property tax exemptions they deserve.
Sources: https://www.dupagecounty.gov/ | https://www.ballotready.org/ | https://www.yeenayoo.com/
Illinois General Assembly
Ram Villivalam (D) - State Senator, 8th District
Senator Villivalam made history as the first Asian American elected to the Illinois State Senate and is currently serving as the Majority Caucus Whip. He chairs the powerful Transportation Committee and is a staunch advocate for infrastructure investment, gun violence prevention, and protecting reproductive rights. Representing a highly diverse district, his leadership continues to be a point of immense pride and crucial representation for Chicago's AAPI community.
Sources: https://www.illinoissenatedemocrats.com/ | https://www.legistorm.com/ | https://www.senatorvillivalam.com/
Kevin Olickal (D) - State Representative, 16th District
Serving on the Judiciary and Adoption & Child Welfare committees, Representative Olickal is a strong progressive voice focused on working-class issues. He has actively championed criminal justice reform, affordable housing initiatives, and tenant protections. As an Indian American representing the Skokie and Lincolnwood areas, his work directly uplifts the everyday, material needs of the diverse families in our neighborhoods.
Sources: https://www.ilga.gov/ | https://legiscan.com/ | https://www.repolickal.com/
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D) - State Representative, 17th District
An attorney with a fierce dedication to civil rights, Representative Gong-Gershowitz currently serves on the House Judiciary-Civil Committee and has strongly supported the Reproductive Health Act. She is known for her legislation expanding legal representation for immigrants and creating the TEAACH Act, which mandates the teaching of Asian American history in public schools. For Chicago's AAPI community, her work ensures our history is honored and our fundamental rights remain protected under state law.
Sources: https://www.ilga.gov/ | https://ballotpedia.org/ | https://www.repgg.com/
Abdelnasser Rashid (D) - State Representative, 21st District
Representative Rashid made history as the first Palestinian American to serve in the Illinois General Assembly. His legislative record includes advocating for environmental justice bills to phase out cancer-linked "forever chemicals," alongside strong support for consumer protection and property tax relief. His ongoing service highlights the expanding coalition of diverse voices advocating for progressive, community-centered governance in Illinois.
Sources: https://ilhousedems.com/ | https://ballotpedia.org/ | https://www.reprashid.com/
Theresa Mah (D) - State Representative, 24th District
Making history as the very first Asian American elected to the Illinois House, Representative Mah currently serves on the Health Care Licenses and Immigration & Human Rights committees. She has built a strong legislative record fighting for affordable housing, expanding healthcare access, and protecting utility consumers from predatory rate hikes. As a founding member of both the progressive and Asian American caucuses, she remains a foundational pillar of AAPI political power in Chicago.
Sources: https://www.ilga.gov/ | https://www.citizensutilityboard.org/ | https://www.reptheresamah.com/
Janet Yang Rohr (D) - State Representative, 41st District
Bringing decades of experience in the financial sector to Springfield, Representative Yang Rohr currently serves on the House Personnel & Pensions Committee. She consistently prioritizes removing language barriers in civic participation and improving culturally competent medical care. Her leadership ensures that the specific, nuanced needs of our communities are integrated into the state's broader fiscal and social planning.
Sources: https://ilhousedems.com/ | https://www.billtrack50.com/ | https://www.repyangrohr.com/
Nabeela Syed (D) - State Representative, 51st District
Elected at just 23 years old as one of the first Muslim women in the Illinois House, Representative Syed currently serves on the Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee. She is widely recognized for her tenacious advocacy to lower prescription drug costs, cap healthcare expenses, and expand property tax relief for seniors on fixed incomes. Her dynamic approach to politics is actively inspiring the next generation of young AAPI organizers across the Chicagoland area.
Sources: https://www.repsyed.com/ | https://legiscan.com/
Saba Haider (D) - State Representative, 84th District
Recently securing the Democratic nomination for the 84th District in the 2026 election cycle, Haider represents the rapidly growing, politically engaged AAPI constituency in the Fox Valley and DuPage areas. Backed by groups focused on reproductive healthcare and environmental conservation, her platform emphasizes community sustainability and protecting fundamental rights. For Asian Americans watching the political landscape shift, her primary victory signals the continuing outward expansion of AAPI representation into the collar counties.
Sources: https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/ | https://www.sierraclub.org/illinois | https://www.sabahaider.com/
Sharon Chung (D) - State Representative, 91st District
According to the Illinois Asian American Caucus, Representative Chung is the first Korean American elected to the Illinois House. She currently serves on the Higher Education and Agriculture & Conservation committees. Although she represents the downstate Bloomington-Normal area, her advocacy for fully funding public education and protecting immigrant rights resonates statewide. Her presence in the General Assembly proves that AAPI political leadership and values extend far beyond the Chicago city limits.
Sources: https://www.nprillinois.org/ | https://www.wglt.org/ | https://www.repchung.com/
Participating in the democratic process is a powerful way to uplift our neighborhoods, and familiarizing yourself with the candidates is where that journey begins. With the March 17 primary now behind us, the focus shifts to the upcoming general election on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Now is the perfect time for residents to confirm their active voter registration, find their designated polling locations, and independently review where each candidate stands on the issues.
When we show up to the polls, we ensure our community’s voice isn't just recognized, but actively woven into the future of Illinois.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The mention of any specific candidate, political party, or platform does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation. Readers are encouraged to independently research all candidates and issues before participating in the electoral process.
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References:
Ballotpedia. (2026). Illinois primary elections, 2026. Retrieved March 20, 2026, from https://ballotpedia.org/Illinois_primary_elections,_2026
Associated Press. (2026, March 17). Illinois primary election results. AP News. Retrieved March 20, 2026, from https://apnews.com/hub/illinois-elections
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