Four key races and the issues that matter to Indian Americans

Election Special by Dr. Avi Verma 

As Illinois approaches November 3, 2026, general election, voters face important decisions about the state’s leadership and its representation in Washington. IndoUS Tribune’s election coverage examines four closely watched contests: the governor’s race, the U.S. Senate race, and the campaigns for Illinois’ 9th and 8th Congressional Districts.

This election special accompanies the newspaper’s editorial endorsement coverage and examines the candidates, available polling, and issues that deserve attention from Indian American voters and the wider Illinois electorate. The endorsements themselves should be presented in a separate, clearly identified editorial statement rather than confused with polling data or factual reporting.

1. Governor: J.B. Pritzker vs. Darren Bailey

Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker is seeking a third consecutive term, facing Republican Darren Bailey in a rematch of their 2022 contest. The race has drawn attention to Illinois’ economic direction, taxes, public safety, education funding, energy costs and the future of major employers and institutions in the state.

A Public Policy Polling survey conducted September 30–October 1 among 569 registered voters reported Pritzker at 54%, Bailey at 34%, independent candidate Corbett at 6%, and 6% undecided. The poll reported a margin of error of ±4.1 percentage points. A separate ACTi Vote survey dated October 22 reported 59% for Pritzker and 41% for Bailey among 400 likely voters, with a stated margin of error of ±4.9 points. These are snapshots of voter opinion, not election results

For Indian American families and businesses, the governor’s race has implications for state-level economic development, schools, healthcare access, public safety and the business climate. Voters should also distinguish state responsibilities from federal matters: immigration visas and U.S.–India relations, for example, are primarily shaped by the federal government, even though state policies can affect students, workers, families and employers living in Illinois.

2. U.S. Senate: Juliana Stratton vs. Don Tracy

The contest to succeed retiring Sen. Dick Durbin features Democratic Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and Republican Don Tracy. American Center Party candidate Whitfield Harrington Jr. is also listed in the general-election contest. 

A Public Policy Polling survey conducted September 30–October 1 among 569 registered voters reported Stratton at 49%, Tracy at 36%, and 15% undecided, with a margin of error of ±4.1 percentage points. ACTi Vote’s October 22 survey reported a 59%–41% division among 400 likely voters, with a stated margin of error of ±4.9 points. The surveys differ in their field dates and methods, so their results should be considered separately rather than treated as a guarantee of the outcome. 

For Indian American voters, the Senate race raises questions about federal immigration policy, skilled-worker visas, international students, healthcare costs, small-business conditions, civil rights and the broader U.S.–India relationship. Because senators vote on federal legislation, appointments and foreign-policy matters, voters may wish to examine each candidate’s public statements and proposals on these subjects.

3. Illinois’ 9th Congressional District: Daniel Biss vs. John Elleson

Democrat Daniel Biss, Evanston’s mayor, faces Republican John Elleson in the 9th Congressional District contest. The race concerns who will represent communities across Chicago’s North Side and northern suburbs in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Forecasting models have projected different Democratic margins in this district, but such estimates are not the same as direct polling. The available forecast summaries cited for this race did not identify a direct poll matching Biss against Elleson. Model-based estimates therefore should not be presented as measured voter preferences. 

Constituents may assess the candidates’ approaches to housing affordability, transportation, healthcare, education, public safety, federal spending and support for small businesses. For Indian American communities, other relevant questions include how each candidate would address anti-South Asian discrimination, immigration-related concerns affecting families and professionals, and the needs of seniors and first-generation immigrants.

4. Illinois’ 8th Congressional District: Melissa Bean vs. Jennifer Davis

Democrat Melissa Bean faces Republican Jennifer Davis in the 8th Congressional District. The contest gives voters an opportunity to consider competing approaches to the economy, federal spending, healthcare, education, immigration and the role of government in supporting local communities.

Forecasting sites have published model-based estimates for the race, but the cited summaries did not identify direct candidate polling matching Bean and Davis. Those projections should be understood as estimates based on models and underlying assumptions—not as the results of a survey asking voters to choose between the two candidates. 

For Indian American residents in the district, practical considerations may include the cost of healthcare and education, opportunities for entrepreneurs, employment and immigration policy, public safety, and protection against discrimination. Voters can compare the candidate’s stated positions, legislative priorities and public records against the issues that matter most to their households and communities.

Issues Indian American Voters Should Examine

Indian Americans are not a politically uniform community. Their priorities differ by generation, profession, economic circumstances and personal experience. Still, several issues may be especially relevant to voters across Illinois:

• Immigration and legal pathways: The treatment of international students, skilled professionals, family-based immigration and visa backlogs.
• Economic opportunity: Conditions for small businesses, entrepreneurs, technology professionals and other workers.
• Education and healthcare: School quality, college affordability, access to care and the cost of prescription medicines.
• Civil rights and public safety: Responses to anti-Asian and anti-South Asian discrimination, hate incidents and threats to community institutions.
• U.S.–India relations: Trade, technology, education, defense cooperation and diplomatic engagement.
• Local accountability: Whether elected officials communicate with constituents, respond to community concerns and explain their policy decisions.

These issues involve different levels of government. The president and Congress have central roles in federal immigration and foreign policy, while Illinois officials influence state budgets, education, healthcare programs and economic policy. Understanding that distinction helps voters evaluate candidates against the powers of the offices they seek.

Polls are snapshots, not outcomes

Polling provides useful information about voter opinion at a particular moment, but results depend on sample selection, question wording, field dates and turnout assumptions. Differences between polls do not necessarily indicate a sudden shift in public opinion. Forecasts add another layer of modeling and should not be confused with direct surveys.

The cited polls indicate the reported levels of support at the time they were conducted. They cannot establish how every community—including Indian American voters—will vote, nor can they determine the final result before ballots are counted.

An informed electorate is an engaged electorate

The November 3 election will shape representation at the state and federal levels. For Indian American voters, as for all Illinois residents, the most useful approach is to examine candidates’ records, proposals and public commitments; verify claims against reliable sources; and distinguish campaign statements from policies an officeholder would actually have the authority to implement.

IndoUS Tribune’s election coverage aims to place these contests in context and highlight the issues that affect the community. Editorial endorsements express an editorial judgment; polling and race analysis serve a different purpose. Keeping those roles clear helps readers understand the newspaper’s position while making their own informed decisions at the ballot box.