Margaret Croke Declared Winner in Illinois Democratic Comptroller Primary

On March 20, 2026, the Associated Press announced that Chicago state Representative Margaret Croke secured victory in the Democratic primary for Illinois comptroller. The primary outcome determines who will represent the Democratic Party in the upcoming general election for this statewide office.

Croke received the highest share of votes among Democratic candidates, advancing her to the next phase of the election process. The Associated Press made the declaration after most precincts had reported their results, confirming her lead over other contenders.

The Democratic primary took place on March 17, 2026, and included several candidates. Croke defeated Karina Villa and Holly Kim, among others, to become the party’s nominee for the office of comptroller.

With the primary concluded, Croke will appear on the ballot for the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. She is set to compete against Republican nominee Bryan Drew for the statewide position.

What the numbers show

• Margaret Croke received 34.6% of the Democratic primary vote
• 92% of precincts had reported results as of March 20, 2026
• The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026

Incumbent comptroller Susana Mendoza, who has served nearly a decade in the role, is not seeking another term. Mendoza’s decision not to run again opened the field to new candidates for the Democratic nomination.

Croke previously announced her candidacy in July 2025, following Mendoza’s decision to step aside. This early announcement positioned her among the first candidates to enter the race for the open office.

The Associated Press based its declaration of Croke’s victory on reported vote totals and the proportion of precincts that had submitted results. The outcome finalizes the Democratic ticket for the comptroller’s race in Illinois.

With the primary process complete, both major parties have now selected their nominees for the statewide comptroller election. The next stage will be the general election, where voters will choose between Croke and Drew for the office.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.