The race to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District is heating up, as more candidates enter the fray for the 2026 Democratic primary.
This week, Illinois State Rep. Hoan Huynh and Chicago Democratic Committeeman Bruce Leon filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to officially declare their candidacies.
Hoan Huynh, currently serving his second term in the Illinois General Assembly, represents the 13th District, which is situated at the southern edge of the 9th Congressional District.
He established a candidate committee called “Hoan for 9” and launched a campaign website (hoanfor9.com) just days before his candidacy announcement.
In a video shared on YouTube, Huynh speaks about his background as a refugee from Vietnam and emphasizes his family’s journey to America.
“This is my family’s legacy, and I am proud of our fighting spirit,” Huynh states in the video, articulating the significance of his heritage in shaping his American Dream.
On the same day, Bruce Leon filed a declaration to run for Congress, establishing his own “Bruce Leon for Congress” committee.
Leon currently serves as the Democratic Committeeman for Chicago’s 50th Ward, where he also sought a position on the Chicago School Board but finished second last year.
Unlike other candidates in the race, Leon intends to present a different vision for the Democratic Party.
In a conversation with the RoundTable, he characterized himself as a “security hawk” who supports pro-Israel policies, increased funding for police and military, and advocates for small businesses.
“Right now, the issue is, which way is this party going to turn?” Leon asks, highlighting the ideological divide within the party.
He aims to position himself as a centrist candidate amid a field that could pull the party further to the left.
Huynh and Leon’s campaign declarations bring the number of declared candidates for the 9th Congressional District to at least 10, marking a competitive Democratic primary.
Schakowsky has represented the district since 1998, and her impending retirement has opened the door for new candidates to vie for this influential position.
Other candidates declared for the March 2026 primary include local figures such as content creator and journalist Kat Abughazaleh, Skokie School District 73.5 board member Bushra Amiwala, and Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, among others.
State Sen. Laura Fine and Chicago engineer Justin Ford are also among those running for the seat, joining a significant roster of prospective candidates.
Additionally, Chicago resident Miracle Jenkins, Evanston resident Bethany Johnson, and Skokie attorney Howard Rosenblum have all thrown their hats into the ring.
State Sen. Mike Simmons, although not officially filed, appeared as a contender during a recent local event and could also join the race in the coming months.
Both Huynh and Leon are not required to report their campaign financing until the quarterly deadline in October, as they filed their candidacies just after the end of the FEC’s second quarter reporting period.
In contrast, the already filed candidates must submit their fundraising and spending totals by July 15.
Despite their recent filings, all candidates remain prospective until they circulate petitions to qualify for the ballot, which begins on August 5.
The official filing window will remain open from October 27 to November 3, after which the race dynamics may shift with additional candidates or endorsements.
As the number of candidates grows, so does the complexity of the campaign strategies and messaging they will employ to distinguish themselves from one another.
The upcoming 2026 Democratic primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District promises to be a highly competitive contest, reflecting the changing political landscape within the Democratic Party.
image source from：evanstonroundtable
