Axios

Daniel Biss defeated a crowded field in Tuesday's Democratic primary to represent Illinois' 9th District.

Flashback: U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky's retirement announcement last year opened the seat for the first time in more than 25 years, prompting 15 Democrats and four Republicans to enter the race.

Zoom in: Biss has been mayor of Evanston, the northern suburb that's home to Northwestern University, since 2021 and has also served as both a state senator and state representative.

• Schakowsky endorsed Biss, along with U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).
• Biss' calls to abolish ICE became more fervent after a standoff in December with Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, as immigration officials made arrests in Evanston and nearby suburbs.

State of play: The district includes Rogers Park — one of Chicago's most diverse neighborhoods — and the affluent North Shore suburbs, home to what have long been known as "lakefront liberal" voters.

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.

Donna Miller has won the Democratic primary for Illinois' 2nd District, a seat held by Rep. Robin Kelly, who is running for U.S. Senate.

The latest: Miller defeated former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., who was seeking a return to the seat after serving a federal sentence for campaign finance fraud.

Why it matters: The race is one of several Democratic primaries in which millions of dollars in outside PAC spending may have helped shape the outcome.

By the numbers: Miller received over 40% of the vote to Jackson's 28% when the Associated Press called the race.

Zoom in: Miller is a Cook County Board commissioner representing the 6th District and has spent decades working in health care. She previously served as board chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.

• She also ran for state Senate in 2012, losing in the 15th District.

Zoom out: The district spans large swaths of the South Side of Chicago and the south suburbs, extending down to Peoria.

• The heavily Democratic district means the primary often decides the seat.

Between the lines: The 2nd District represents one of several races that drew millions in outside PAC spending.

• In February alone, Miller benefited from $2.4 million in ads linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), while one of her opponents, Robert Peters, was hit with $735,000 in attack ads from the crypto industry-linked Fairshake PAC.

The intrigue: Miller's win shuts down a high-profile comeback attempt by Jackson, once one of Chicago's most prominent political figures.

What's next: In November, Miller will face Republican challenger Mike Noak for a seat that has been held by a Democrat since 1953.

Senate Republicans opened debate Tuesday on the SAVE America Act. While discussions continue over whether the bill will be further modified, the outcome isn't in doubt: the legislation will not pass.

Why it matters: GOP leaders insist the open-ended debate will allow them to spotlight election fraud and draw attention to President Trump's proposed solutions.

• But on day one, their internal divisions were already on display.

State Rep. James Talarico's Senate campaign has thrust his North Austin church into the spotlight, prompting increased security, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church pastor Jim Rigby told members on Facebook.

Why it matters: Religion is emerging as an early flashpoint in Texas' high-profile Senate race, pitting the Austin Democrat against the winner of a GOP runoff between Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

The United Farm Workers says it won't participate in parades honoring its founder César Chávez, citing "troubling allegations" that Chávez abused young women, possibly including minors.

Why it matters: The allegations raise serious concerns about harm possibly done to women and minors, and threaten to tarnish the legacy of Chávez, one of the most celebrated Latino labor leaders in U.S. history.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is doubling down on his Alaska bet with a new ad campaign targeting Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) — in part over the recent spike in gas prices.

Why it matters: Alaska is quickly emerging as a tactical 2026 Senate battlefield as both parties look for opportunities to spend big in a state with a tiny population.

Senate Republicans on Tuesday voted to launch debate on the SAVE America Act, but Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) is well short of the 60 votes needed for passage.

Why it matters: President Trump is trying to strong-arm Senate Republicans into passing the sweeping measure — which would require proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote — before the November midterms.

Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) is pressing the Energy Department for details on plans to provide oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as pump prices rise.

Why it matters: Gallego's new letter to Energy Secretary Chris Wright, viewed first by Axios, shows how the energy effects of the Iran war are spilling into Capitol Hill — and politics more broadly.

Arizona's attorney general filed criminal charges against Kalshi on Tuesday in a dramatic escalation of the legal battle over prediction markets.

Why it matters: Kalshi allows users in all 50 states to risk money on event contracts — including what it calls "100% legal sports trading" — but detractors say it usurps state gambling regulations.