Illinois Republicans hoping to flip several statewide races

Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi applauds while listening to Fox News analyst Gianno Caldwell at the State Fair. Capitol News Illinois photo by Jerry Nowicki
Despite Republicans holding past statewide and federal offices in Illinois, the party has been a super minority in our state for going on a decade. The 21st Show host Brian Mackey visits the Illinois State Fair on Republican Day to hear from party leaders in Illinois and from activists and organizers from around the state about how to do better in 2026 elections.
GUESTS
Joshua Loyd
Republican primary candidate, IL-13 (U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D) is the incumbent)
Ryan Tebrugge
Republican primary candidate, IL-15 (U.S. Rep. Mary Miller (R) is the incumbent)
State Senator Jil Tracy
Republican incumbent running for re-election, 50th Illinois Senate District
Ajay Gupta
Republican primary candidate, 41st Illinois House District (State Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D) is the incumbent)
Mark Rice
Republican primary candidate, IL-8 (U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) is the incumbent. He is not running for re-election)