La Shawn Ford wins Dem nomination for Illinois 7th

Monica Eng

Portrait of a smiling Black man in a navy pinstripe suit and light blue shirt, set against a solid blue background. — La Shawn Ford. Photo: Courtesy of La Shawn Ford for Congress

State Rep. La Shawn Ford has won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 7th District, a seat held for three decades by retiring Rep. Danny Davis, representing parts of Chicago's Loop, the West Side and western suburbs.

Zoom in: Ford, who has served as a state representative since 2007, scored a key early endorsement from Davis the day the congressman announced his retirement last summer.

Between the lines: The 7th District race is one where millions in PAC spending failed to deliver results.

In February, Ford faced $1.7 million in attack ads from the crypto-linked Fairshake PAC but still defeated Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin, who was backed by $2.2 million in ads linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

By the numbers: Ford had secured 24% of the vote and Conyears-Ervin had 20% at 9:44pm when the Associated Press called the race.

What's next: In November, Ford will face Republican challenger Chad Koppie for a seat that has been held by a Democrat for 77 years.

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La Shawn Ford wins Dem nomination for Illinois 7th

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