Eric Sorensen Retains Seat in Illinois' 17th District

Democratic Rep. Eric Sorensen has successfully retained his seat in Illinois' 17th Congressional District against Republican challenger Joe McGraw, marking a key victory for Democrats in a hotly contested race. Sorensen, who first won the seat in 2022, emphasized his non-political background and bipartisan approach, focusing on issues such as safe drinking water and opposing the privatization of Social Security and Medicare. The district, redrawn after the 2020 census, includes cities like Rockford and the Quad Cities and has been a Democratic stronghold since 2013. Sorensen's victory was projected by major news outlets and was crucial in the broader national context where Republicans have regained control of the U.S. Senate, but the House remains uncertain. McGraw, a retired judge, campaigned on a law-and-order platform, emphasizing his judicial experience and support for local economic policies. Both candidates focused heavily on local issues such as immigration and abortion, with Sorensen supporting federal protections for abortion rights, while McGraw favored state-level decision-making on the matter.