Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were the big winners in primary contests across five states March 15.
CNN called the tight race in Illinois for Clinton at 11:20 p.m. She had been called as the winner in Democratic primaries in Florida, North Carolina and Ohio, while Bernie Sanders was slightly ahead in Missouri. On the Republican side, Donald Trump won Illinois, Florida and North Carolina, and was leading in Missouri. Ohio Gov. John Kasich, meanwhile, took home a large primary victory in his home state.
One casualty of the March 15 contests was the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, who dropped out of the race after failing to make a strong showing in his home state, Florida.
In a statement, Human Rights Campaign President Chad Griffin said, "From North Carolina to Florida to Ohio, fair-minded voters have begun unifying to ensure we are prepared to defeat whichever anti-LGBT candidate emerges as the Republican nominee. Tonight's decisive victories for Hillary Clinton in key states across the nation have put us closer to preserving a pro-equality White House come November. She has proven time and again that she will fight for the LGBT community—and we are proud to continue to fight alongside her to make sure no opponent of LGBT equality ever sets foot in the Oval Office."
U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth ( D-8 ) will be the Democratic challenger for U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk's seat in November. Duckworth handily defeated attorney and activist Andrea Zopp as well as state Sen. Napoleon Harris III. Kirk defeated his Republican challenger, James Marter, as well.
In her March 15 speech, Duckworth lashed out at Kirk for running negative ads, as well as reports that he would support Trump. She said, "We reject the politics of fear and division that have no place in this country."
Among contested Illinois seats in the House, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush ( D-1 ) fended off challenges from Ald. Howard Brookins and Patrick Brutus. Rush faces off against Republican August Deuser in November. Rep. Robin Kelly ( D-2 ) won her primary challenges from Marcus Lewis, Dorian Myrickes and Charles Rayburn. She'll face John Morrow this fall.
In the 4th District, Rep. Luis Gutierrez beat activist-journalist Javier Salas, who ran due to his objections over Gutierrez's support of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Rep. Mike Quigley ( D-5 ) was unopposed in the primary, but will face a Green Party challenger, likely Rob Sherman as of press time, in the fall.
Incumbent Peter Roskam ( R-7 ) defeated Jay Kinzler, and will be up against Democrat Amanda Howland in November. Longtime 8th District Rep. Danny Davis defeated Thomas Day. Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi appeared likely to defeat Michael Noland and Deborah Bullwinkel, as of press time; they were vying for Duckworth's current House seat. Krishnamoorthi would be up against Republican Pete DiCianni.
In the 10th District, Republican Robert Dold ran unopposed. But former Rep. Brad Schneider, a Democrat, wants his old seat back, and was running against Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering. Schneider had the lead as of press time, but only about a third of the votes had been counted.
Among candidates with uncontested primary contests were Reps. Dan Lipinski ( D-3 ) and Jan Schakowsky ( D-9 ). Schakowsky will run against Republican Joan McCarthy Lasonde in November. Republican Darin LaHood ( R-18 ) is also uncontested; he recently replaced Rep. Aaron Schock.
