The battle for Illinois’ 17th District U.S. Congressional seat will be between incumbent Democrat Eric Sorensen and Republican challenger Joe McGraw.
The 17th District includes Peoria and Bloomington and stretches west to including Galesburg and Moline. It also curves north to include Rockford.
Eric Sorensen (D)
Eric Sorensen was elected to Congress in the 17th District in 2022, beating Republican Esther Joy King. Former Rep. Cheri Bustos had vacated the seat, leaving it up for grabs.
Sorensen is the first openly gay man to have been elected to Congress in Illinois. He was born and raised in Rockford and now lives in Moline.
Before serving in Congress, Sorensen was a meteorologist.
Sorensen supports abortion rights and has helped pass key bills such as the Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024.
Joe McGraw (R)
McGraw is a retired judge and former prosecutor who currently lives in Rockford.
McGraw beat Scott Crowl, a farmer from the Milan area, in the Republican primary to challenge Sorensen in the 17th District.