Democratic state Rep. Nabeela Syed of Inverness will run for the Illinois Senate in 2026.

Syed faces a likely showdown with Republican state Sen. Darby Hills of Barrington Hills, who was appointed to the seat earlier this year after the GOP’s Dan McConchie resigned to run a nonprofit organization.

No other candidates from either major political party have announced plans to run.

Darby Hills

Syed first was elected to serve the 51st state House District in 2022. She was reelected to a 2-year term last year and must give up the post to run for the Senate.

The 26th District encompasses much of southern, central and western Lake County; smaller parts of Kane and McHenry counties; and portions of Barrington and Palatine townships in Cook County.

The seat long has been held by Republicans.

Syed defeated incumbent Republican Chris Bos in her first state House campaign, and knocked off challenger Tosi Ufodike in 2024.

“Now, I’m running for Illinois State Senate in the district I’ve called home my whole life to deliver the bold leadership our community deserves,” Syed said Thursday in her campaign announcement on X, the social media platform formerly called Twitter.

A Hills campaign representative couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.