State Reps. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) and Jennifer Gong-Gershowtiz (D-Glenview), who both represent portions of Evanston in Springfield, are running unopposed in their respective primary elections next March.

Gabel, who also serves as House Majority Leader, represents the 18th District, which covers most of Evanston and stretches north along the lake to Winnetka.

Gabel hasn’t faced a primary challenger in her time in Springfield, winning her first primary in 2010 before being appointed to fill the seat upon former Rep. Julia Hamos’ retirement.

In 2024, Gabel faced Republican Charles Hutchinson, defeating him with nearly 80% of the vote.

Only one Republican, Pete Donaghue of Wilmette, filed by Monday’s deadline, meaning the two will face off next November in the 2026 midterm elections.

Gong-Gershowitz has served since 2019 and represents the 17th District, including northwest Evanston, parts of Skokie, Wilmette, Glenview and Northbrook.

Northbrook Republican Jim Geldermann, who lost to Gong-Gershowitz in 2024, filed to run for the seat again for a rematch next November.

Gong-Gershowitz defeated Gerldermann 68.7% to 31.% in 2024.

9th District Senate race to feature Hanley, Ruttenberg

Two Democrats and one Republican filed papers to run for State Sen. Laura Fine’s seat in the Illinois Senate as of Monday, according to the State Board of Elections.

Evanston’s Rachel Ruttenberg, the deputy committeeperson of the Democratic Party of Evanston, will face off against Winnetka’s Patrick Hanley.

The two Democrats have split big-name endorsements, with Hanley winning support from retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Evanston) and Ruttenberg from both Gabel and Gong-Gershowitz.

The Republican party slate will be represented by Tom Lally of Glenview, the sole GOP candidate to file with the ISBE Monday.

Fine is leaving her seat to run for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District and has not endorsed a successor yet.

Gabel is also the sole candidate running for Evanston Democratic Committeeperson next March, as previously reported by Evanston Now.

The current committeeperson, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, is running for Congress. He’s also thrown his hat into the bid for the 9th District’s committeeman seat, a county-level party leadership role. He’ll face Eric Smith of Chicago and Niles Mayor George Alpogianis.

Fine is running for the district’s committeewoman seat and will face Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita and Chicago’s 48th Ward Ald. Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth.