Saba Haider Wins Illinois House Seat

Haider, a former DuPage County Board member, won the 84th District seat with approximately 71% of the vote over Republican Brian Scopa.

Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Organic Food

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a domed state capitol silhouette on a flat prairie horizon under a cream sky, with generous negative space. — Saba Haider won Illinois' 84th House District seat with about 71% of the vote, defeating Republican Brian Scopa, who received roughly 29%. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Saba Haider won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 84th District with approximately 71% of the vote. She defeated Republican Brian Scopa, who received approximately 29%.

Why it matters

The result adds a new member to the Illinois House who previously chaired environmental and strategic planning committees on the DuPage County Board. Her campaign centered on affordable healthcare, education, and easing the rising cost of living.

Haider won roughly 71% of the vote against Republican Brian Scopa's 29% in the 84th District. Her 2024 DuPage County Board win came by 8,521 votes, a margin that reversed her 2022 loss by approximately 1,000 votes.

The players

Saba Haider

Saba Haider is a Democrat who previously chaired the environmental and strategic planning committees of the DuPage County Board.

Brian Scopa

Brian Scopa is the Republican candidate who lost the 84th District race to Haider.

The details

Haider, 42, studied wildlife science at Aligarh Muslim University, received a gold medal in the subject, and is a certified yoga teacher. She moved to the United States in 2007 and lives in the Chicago area with her husband, Ali Kazmi, and their two children.

2007: Haider moved to the United States.
2022: Haider lost the DuPage County Board election by approximately 1,000 votes.
2024: Haider defeated Republican incumbent Patty Gustin by 8,521 votes.
November 5, 2026: Haider won the Illinois House seat.

Political Context

Haider's path from a narrow 2022 DuPage County Board loss to a 2024 county win and now a state House seat shows a progression from local to state office. Her campaign's focus on affordable healthcare, education, and cost of living sets her platform against the Republican candidate's positions in this district.

Illinois residents in the 84th District now have a state representative whose campaign emphasized healthcare access, education funding, and household cost pressures. The practical effect on those issues will depend on legislation she introduces once seated.

The takeaway

Haider's win reflects a candidate moving from county office to the state legislature after a prior narrow loss. Voters in the district chose a platform centered on everyday costs, healthcare, and education.