Primary Results: AAPI Candidates Advancing to the Illinois General Election

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, as well as races that remain pending final certification.

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.

Statewide & County Offices

Josina Morita (D) - Cook County Commissioner, 13th District

‍Wesam Shahed (D) - Cook County Commissioner, 6th District [PENDING**]

**The Democratic primary for this seat remains too close to call. Election officials are currently processing the final wave of legally valid mail-in and provisional ballots to determine the mathematical winner. Final certified results for this race are expected by March 31.

Illinois General Assembly

Kevin Olickal (D) - State Representative, 16th District

Abdelnasser Rashid (D) - State Representative, 21st District

Theresa Mah (D) - State Representative, 24th District

Fred Crespo (D) - State Representative, 44th District

Nabeela Syed (D) - State Representative, 51st District

Sharon Chung (D) - State Representative, 91st District

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.

‍

For more exciting articles, keep in touch and stay connected by following us on our socials Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Tiktok and we’ll make sure you’re updated!

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