CHAMPAIGN – Democratic incumbent Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski and Republican Champaign County Board Member Jeff Wilson will face off in November for Illinois’ 13th Congressional District seat, which spans from Champaign County to the Metro East. The Associated Press called the primary races Tuesday night.
Budzinski defeated political newcomer and Army veteran Dylan Blaha in the Democratic primary, and Wilson defeated Army veteran Joshua Loyd in the Republican primary.
As of Tuesday at 11:09 p.m., with 87% of results in for the Democratic primary and 96% reporting for the Republican primary, Budzinski leads with 76% of the vote and Wilson leads with 67%.
Budzinski is seeking a third term in Congress. Wilson, a Navy veteran and nuclear engineer, is running to support President Donald Trump and his America First policies, according to his campaign website.
“Now’s the time for us to band together and fight together to get this district in our favor, to win it back for us,” Wilson said in his victory speech.
Budzinski said it has been an honor to represent central and southern Illinois.
“The Democratic Party is a big tent party, and I do really try to represent and reach out to everyone in our party,” she said in an interview with St. Louis Public Radio. “I think I’m going to continue to do that, to bring those voters back because I’m going to need them in the general election.”
Budzinski’s challenger, Blaha, contended throughout the campaign that although his opponent originally ran on a platform of getting dark money out of politics, she too receives these funds, with lobbyists and super PACs making up some of her top donors.
“Being a grassroots candidate, it’s just hard. And so, I know sometimes it may take two, three times, and that’s what we’re prepared to do,” Blaha said. “But I don’t accept a Democrat in office that takes corporate money and AIPAC [American Israel Public Affairs Committee] money and votes against the people.”
Blaha said he will likely run again for the seat in two years.
“I don’t think that these establishment Democrats are strong enough to stand up to Donald Trump,” he said. “They’ve proven time and time again that they’re not.”
Budzisnki has served in Congress since 2022.
She handily won her first term with 57% of the vote, and her second term, against Loyd, with 58% of the vote. She became the first Democrat to represent the 13th Congressional District since 1895, after redistricting in 2022 significantly altered the district to include Champaign-Urbana, most of Decatur and Springfield as well as most of the Metro East of St. Louis.
Prior to serving in Congress, Budzinski worked for several trade unions. She led Gov. J. B. Pritzker’s exploratory committee in 2018 and later served as a senior advisor for his campaign, transition director and senior advisor in the governor’s office.
She also chaired the Illinois Broadband Advisory Council, advised the National Climate Jobs Research Center, served as executive director of Climate Jobs Illinois and served as chief of staff of the Office of Budget Management under the Biden administration.
Budzinski’s campaign focused on protecting and growing the country’s middle class by combating rising costs, supporting agriculture and building a more robust economy, according to her campaign website.
Wilson has focused his campaign on border security, crime and corruption. He wants to curb the transport of illegal drugs, support law enforcement and stand up for freedom of speech, according to his campaign website.
“As a pro-life, pro-Second-Amendment, pro-Constitution American rooted in my Christian faith, I will fight for you. I’ll take your voice, your values,” he said, “and they will no longer be ignored in Washington D.C.”
He plans to hit the campaign trail even harder with his wife in the leadup to the general election, he said.
“Becky and I will go back on the road: 175 miles south, 175 miles back,” Wilson said. “We’ll go county to county, community to community and talk and engage voters.”
Wilson served in the Navy and holds a master’s degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, according to his campaign website. He’s currently serving his second term on the Champaign County Board, where he’s fought for fiscal responsibility and transparency. His campaign focused on supporting Trump and his America First policies.