Underwood Wins Democratic Primary for Congress in Illinois’ 14th; First Female Nominee in Traditionally Republican District

NAPERVILLE, IL — Lauren Underwood, Congressional candidate in the Illinois 14th, won the Democratic primary yesterday against six challengers.

She now faces off against Republican incumbent Randy Hultgren in the November midterms in this traditonallyu Republican, overwhelmingly white majority district.

The congressional district covers parts of DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, as of the 2011 redistricting which followed the 2010 census. All or parts of Batavia, Campton Hills, Crystal Lake, Geneva, Huntley, McHenry, Naperville, North Aurora, Oswego, Plainfield, Plano, Sycamore, Warrenville, Wauconda, Woodstock, and Yorkville are included.

Underwood is a first-time Congressional candidate and is the first female candidate in the history of the Illinois 14th to receive her party’s nomination. The 14th district is predominantly white. During its 145 year history, Democrats have won the seat only 4 times for a total of 12 years.

Republicans have been elected 17 times for a total of 132 years.

Underwood’s campaign has been a grassroots effort. Hundreds of volunteers knocked on doors in all seven counties in the district to help get out the vote.

“This moment would not have been possible without the incredible efforts of our volunteers and campaign staff,” said Underwood. “This is about so much more than me, or even about the campaign — this is about the people of the 14th district building a movement to reclaim our voice in Washington.”