Illinois Primary: Democrats Wage Internal Battle, With Big Signs Of Party Enthusiasm
Updated at 1:23 p.m. ET
Tuesday's Illinois primaries could bring down the first congressional incumbent of 2018, set the stage for a highly competitive gubernatorial race, and give Democrats challengers against several possibly vulnerable GOP congressmen they're aiming to defeat in order to take back the House.
There are also big signs of Democratic enthusiasm, both in how many candidates are running and in the donations voters are willing to make.
The biggest race to watch on Tuesday offers further clues into discordant wings of the Democratic Party — the battle between Rep. Dan Lipinski and progressive activist Marie Newman, who's challenging the centrist incumbent from the left.
Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner also faces a primary challenge from a right-wing activist. Even if he survives the primary, Rauner is probably the most endangered GOP gubernatorial incumbent in the country, and Democrats will soon know which candidate will take him on after settling their own expensive party contest.
And as Democrats eye the 23 seats they need to
