Croke sailing to victory in comptroller race as Dems extend hold on statewide offices
Democrats are poised to retain their grip on all statewide offices, including the open seat for Illinois comptroller, election results Tuesday night showed.
The newcomers vying to control the state’s checkbook are Democratic state Rep. Margaret Croke, who declared victory, and Republican attorney Bryan Drew.
With 72% of the estimated total counted, Croke had 61% of the votes compared to Drew’s 39%, according to unofficial results.
The winner will replace outgoing Comptroller Susana Mendoza, who announced her exit last year after a decade in Springfield. She plans to run for Chicago mayor.
Meanwhile, incumbents Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and Treasurer Michael Frerichs are poised to keep their seats, according to the unofficial results.
Democratic Party of Illinois Lisa Chair Hernandez called the night a win for all executive office candidates.
“Today, Illinois voters sent a clear message: we are a strong blue state,” Hernandez said.
Croke spent election night at Navy Pier, where Gov. JB Pritzker held his watch party. Pritzker was projected to win by The Associated Press shortly after polls closed at 7 p.m.
“People want to make sure Illinois continues on this really amazing trajectory we've seen,” she said.
The Chicagoan prevailed in a tough primary this spring with backing from Pritzker, while Drew, who lives in southern Illinois, was unchallenged for the Republican nomination.
Drew owns a law firm and a cafe in his hometown of Benton, which he said uniquely qualified him to understand affordability issues facing families and entrepreneurs.
Croke has served in the General Assembly since 2021 and chairs the House Financial Institutions Committee. She previously was Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity deputy chief of staff and worked on Pritzker’s first gubernatorial campaign.
Drew has positioned himself as a watchdog, arguing that there are no checks and balances in Illinois government with Democrats controlling the governor’s mansion and all other statewide offices. He questioned whether Croke could act independently given her ties to Pritzker.
Croke said she doesn't think Pritzker likes “yes-people.”
“He appreciates when you can have a frank conversation about what needs to be done,” she said. “But at the end of the day, I'm very proud that I worked for the governor.”
She added, “First and foremost, the people I need to be accountable to are the taxpayers and voters of Illinois. Every single person, whether they voted for me or not,” she said. “I have no problem expressing my opinion.”
Croke has said her priorities include introducing software that shows taxpayers “the full life-cycle” of revenues from budget line items to payments, and using technology to modernize the office and find efficiencies.
Drew acknowledged that the state has made strides in transparency under previous comptrollers by posting revenues and expenditures online. But he believes it’s difficult for the general public to dig through that information and promised to present data in a user-friendly way.
Secretary of state
Chicagoan Giannoulias, who is running for his second term, faced Joliet Republican Diane M. Harris, who spent 32 years working for ComEd.
With 73% of estimated votes counted, Giannoulias had 64.7% and Harris had 35.3%, according to unofficial results.
Giannoulias has touted his modernization of secretary of state facilities, as well its handling of a surge in REAL ID applications, easing license renewal requirements for seniors, and spearheading legislation to counter unreasonable auto insurance rate hikes.
“Four years ago, we made a promise to make our government work a little better,” Giannoulias told a crowd of supporters in Chicago. “Four years ago we made a promise to focus on efficiency, on modernization, on rebuilding trust in government.
“I’m here to tell you that all the promises we made … because of the outstanding work of members of the secretary of state’s team … all those promises have come true.”
Harris, a precinct committeeman who also owns a dress shop, has advocated to make vehicle stickers and titles more affordable. She also supports “safer, smarter” rules of the road to protect families and young drivers, and tightening cybersecurity.
Giannoulias is multi-tasking this fall as he aims for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s job as well as his own reelection.
He repeatedly declined questions about his mayoral run, including which candidate he considers his biggest threat.
“We're focused on today. It's a good day. People worked really hard across the state to get us over the finish line. We have time to talk about other elections in the future. But today's a celebration.”
“You can keep on asking but I'm fired up about tonight.”
Attorney General
Incumbent Raoul was first elected in 2018 and is up against attorney and former Chicago alderman Bob Fioretti, a veteran of a number of political campaigns.
With 73% of estimated votes counted, Chicagoan Raoul had 61.5% and Fioretti had 38.5%, according to unofficial results.
Treasurer
Chicagoan Frerichs, a former state senator, was elected as treasurer in 2014 and is up against Republican attorney Max Solomon of Hazel Crest.
With 72% of estimated votes counted, Frerichs had 62.1% and Solomon had 37.9%, according to unofficial results.
“We will continue helping families save for college, returning missing money to the people it belongs to, and earning record investment returns to help our state,” Frerichs, who declared victory, said in a statement.
Voter zeitgeist
Voters casting ballots at a Downers Grove polling station were pumped up about the general election.
“I’m kind of excited. There seems to be a lot of controversy this year and a lot at stake,” Kathryn Meronek said.
Resident Leo Boshardy remarked that “it’s an important (election). I’m just a little worried, and I wanted to come out and do my civic duty.”
However, when asked about the outcome of the comptroller’s contest, one of the marquee statewide races given the exit of Mendoza, a number of voters confessed to not being up to speed on the position.
“I don’t know anything about it,” resident Bob Johnson said.
“I’m interested in what they comptrol,” Boshardy said, jokingly.
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