Months out from the upcoming general election in November, a number of races for the Illinois House of Representatives are gaining momentum following multiple recent controversies involving Democrat lawmakers.
The 97th district was previously held by Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, who resigned this month after the conclusion of an investigation into claims of sexual harassment made against him by a former staffer and a lobbyist.
Benton’s replacement, Jessica Dixon Heitman, was appointed and sworn in to serve the remainder of the term and is on November’s ballot.
Heitman faces Republican candidate Gabby Shanahan, who narrowly lost to Benton in the 2024 election for the seat.
The House Republican Organization ran ads against Reps. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, Suzanne M. Ness, D-Crystal Lake, Amy Briel, D-Ottowa, and Justin Cochran, D-Des Plaines, in which they noted the lawmakers all remained silent on the investigation into Benton.
Mark Carvers, political director of the House Republican Organization, told The Center Square about the ads and their choice of candidates they targeted.
Cochran is running for the seat for the first time after being appointed to it. He has called for the release of the report on Benton. He faces Republican challenger Joseph Johnson.
Story from Illinois Radio Network
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