Oak Park and Forest Park residents will send a new congressman to Washington for the first time in nearly 30 years.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford won the 7th Congressional District race on Tuesday, Nov. 3, replacing U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who held the seat since 1997. The district covers Oak Park, Forest Park, Hillside, Austin, Garfield Park, North Lawndale, the Loop and Englewood.
The race was called about an hour after polls closed at 7 p.m., the Wednesday Journal reported. With less than 17% of votes reported, Ford had over 88%. Republican candidate Chad Koppie had under 12%. The early totals are unofficial.
Ford has represented Illinois' 8th House District since 2007. His campaign focused on lowering costs for working families, protecting federal benefit programs and expanding access to health care and affordable housing, according to a candidate questionnaire published by WTTW.
Davis, 83, announced his retirement in July 2025 and endorsed Ford to take his place, as the Austin Weekly News reported. Davis cited his age as the main reason for stepping down. He started in public office in 1979, served as alderman of Chicago's 29th Ward for 11 years and on the Cook County Board of Commissioners for six years before winning the congressional seat.
Ford won the Democratic primary on March 17 in a crowded field of 13 candidates, beating leading opponent Melissa Conyears-Ervin, the Austin Weekly News reported. The district has not had a Republican representative since the 1940s.
Hundreds celebrated Ford's victory at XS Tennis Village on Chicago's South Side. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Davis both took the stage.
The moment turned emotional. Davis welcomed Ford after the race was called as "Never Would've Made It" played over the speakers. The two Austin residents hugged for several seconds, held hands and cried on stage until the song ended, the Wednesday Journal reported.
"It just dawned on me after all these months that I actually won the election just now, and that the responsibility is about to be all of ours, the responsibility that Cong. Danny K. Davis has had for years," Ford said, according to the Wednesday Journal.
State Rep. Camille Lilly of the 78th District, who has worked with Ford for 16 years, spoke at the election night event an hour before polls closed.
Davis's retirement takes effect in January 2027, according to the Austin Weekly News.
