Rep. Eric Sorensen defeats GOP challenger Joe McGraw in Illinois' 17th Congressional District
CHICAGO (CBS/AP) – Democratic U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen won re-election to Illinois' 17th Congressional District on Wednesday, defeating Republican Joe McGraw, a retired judge who focused his campaign messaging on economics.
Sorensen, a first-term congressman, was first elected to the seat in 2022, taking over for Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos after she decided not to run for re-election.
The matchup in the sprawling "C-shaped" northwest Illinois district was among the most competitive in the state.
Covering union-heavy manufacturing areas and college towns, the territory leans Democratic. But it also features pockets of farmland, which trend conservative.
Sorensen, a former television meteorologist, was first elected to office in 2022. The 48-year-old had backing from unions and farmers and dominated in fundraising. According to Federal Election Commission data, he has more than $4.5 million in total contributions compared to McGraw's roughly $1.3 million.
Sorensen thanked supporters gathered in Moline late Tuesday.
"Over the past two years, I've set out to make sure our community has a trusted neighbor serving them in Congress," Sorensen said in a statement. "Now, it's about coming together to do what's best for all of us and I am proud to be the good neighbor to represent you!"
McGraw's campaign did not return messages seeking comment.
On the campaign trail, Sorensen tried to appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. Often touting his background in weather, he's advocated for green energy and ways to fight climate change. At the same time, he notes he was one of only four Democrats on the House Agriculture Committee who backed a new farm bill earlier this year.
A former judge and prosecutor from Rockford, McGraw said Sorensen wasn't the right fit for the district, calling out his views on climate change and his support for LGBTQ+ rights. Sorensen is openly gay. McGraw touted support from law enforcement groups and national Republican groups.
Sorensen has touted his limited experience as an elected official as an advantage in seeking bipartisan solutions in Congress.
"I'm one of the very few people that doesn't have a background in politics," Sorensen said recently. "So I can work with Republicans and Democrats to get the job done."
McGraw, meantime, has touted his experience as a judge, as well as a trained mediator and arbitrator.
"I've used those skills to do reality testing with parties that are very adverse to try to figure out, what are the facts?" McGraw said recently.
This race, which could help tilt the balance of power in Congress, is focused on the same issues as numerous others. They include the issues of abortion, the economy, and immigration.
Where do Sorensen and McGraw stand on abortion?
Sorensen supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law, and permanently restoring a woman's right to choose. Meantime, he also wants to protect women's right to travel across state lines to seek safe reproductive care in Illinois.
McGraw has said he supported the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, arguing abortion is an issue that states should decide, not the federal government. He has said he would oppose a national abortion ban if it were to come up for a vote in Congress.
Where do Sorensen and McGraw stand on the economy?
Sorensen supports legislation to increase Social Security benefits for seniors, and wants to expand Medicare's power to negotiate prescription drug prices to lower medication costs for working families and seniors. He also supports creating more "green jobs" to help address climate change, such as through increased electric vehicle production at the Rivian plant in Normal, Illinois.
McGraw has said he wants to cut taxes on American factories to create more jobs, and eliminate the federal estate tax. He also wants to reduce federal spending by restricting immigration, arguing migrants have become a drain on social services, health care, and schools.
Where do Sorensen and McGraw stand on immigration?
Sorensen has proposed legislation to add 500 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at entry points on the southern border, as well as a bill to provide increased funding, technology and staffing for U.S. Customs and Border Protection to stop the spread of fentanyl.
Likewise, McGraw also wants to expand the border patrol and crack down on fentanyl, but also supports expanding the border wall between the U.S. and Mexico. He also backs a return to the "Remain in Mexico" policy, which would require asylum seekers arriving at the southern border to stay in Mexico until an immigration court rules on their asylum claims.
