Ploger Leads Perez in Illinois Senate 42nd Race

Democrat Jared Ploger holds a wide lead over Republican Edgardo Perez after all precincts reported in the district that Linda Holmes is leaving.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a simplified domed state capitol silhouette in oxblood against cream under a navy sky, evoking the Illinois Senate race. — Democrat Jared Ploger held a wide lead over Republican Edgardo Perez in Illinois' 42nd Senate District after all precincts reported, succeeding retiring Sen. Linda Holmes. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Democrat Jared Ploger leads Republican Edgardo Perez in the Illinois Senate 42nd District race, with Ploger at 49,191 votes and Perez at 22,382 votes. All precincts have been reported in the contest to succeed retiring state Sen. Linda Holmes.

Why it matters

Holmes has held the seat since 2007 and is retiring to focus on health issues, leaving the district open. Ploger replaced Holmes on the ballot after being chosen by the Democratic Party chairs of four counties.

Ploger holds 49,191 votes to Perez's 22,382, with all precincts reported in the Illinois Senate 42nd District. The source does not indicate whether the totals have been certified or whether any challenge is pending.

The players

Jared Ploger

Ploger is a Democrat and longtime high school social studies teacher who serves as union president of the Valley View Council Local 604 of the American Federation of Teachers.

Edgardo Perez

Perez is a Republican who retired after around 30 years in law enforcement and lives in Aurora.

Linda Holmes

Holmes is the Illinois state senator who has represented the 42nd District since 2007 and is retiring to focus on health issues.

The details

Ploger, a longtime high school social studies teacher and president of the Valley View Council Local 604 of the American Federation of Teachers, previously lost a primary for the Illinois House 84th district. Perez retired after around 30 years in law enforcement and is also a resident of Aurora.

2007: Linda Holmes begins serving the Illinois Senate 42nd District.
November 4, 2026: Election results are reported with all precincts counted.

Season Trajectory

The open 42nd District seat, which spans parts of Kane, Kendall, Will and DuPage counties, changes hands after Holmes's long tenure beginning in 2007. Ploger's win would give Democrats continuity in a district that Holmes had represented for nearly two decades.

Voters in the 42nd District, which includes parts of Kane, Kendall, Will and DuPage counties, will be represented in the Illinois Senate by whoever wins this seat. The result determines who speaks for these communities on state legislation after Holmes's departure.

The takeaway

The open seat shows how a district can change leadership quickly when a long-serving lawmaker retires, and voters should track how the winner approaches the issues that matter locally.