With a crowded field of candidates and millions of dollars in outside spending aimed at defeating him, Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford emerged victorious Tuesday, March 17, in the Democratic primary for the 7th Congressional District, positioning himself as the likely successor to retiring U.S. Representative Danny Davis. La Shawn Ford’s campaign drew significant attention and support from voters.
The race also included negative campaign messaging, including ads that referenced past felony charges against Ford that were later dropped. Supporters argued the attacks were misleading, while opponents maintained they were raising questions about his record. The issue became part of a broader effort to shape voter perception in a crowded and competitive field.
La Shawn Ford’s supporters emphasized his commitment to the community and his plans to address pressing issues.
With 91 percent of votes counted, Ford secured 22,165 votes, or 23.9 percent, according to the Associated Press and election officials, defeating 12 other Democratic challengers in one of the most competitive congressional primaries in Illinois this election cycle.
Davis, who is retiring after 15 terms in Congress, publicly backed Ford and appeared with supporters at a South Side watch party, where he framed the outcome as a victory for voters over outside influence.
“La Shawn Ford is the people’s choice,” Davis told supporters.
The race drew unusual attention due to the level of outside spending, particularly from groups aligned with the cryptocurrency industry. Ford had drawn opposition after supporting state-level legislation requiring cryptocurrency companies to follow consumer protection standards, a move the industry criticized as burdensome.
A super PAC associated with those interests reportedly spent approximately $2.5 million in an effort to defeat Ford. Nationally, cryptocurrency-related political spending has surged, with more than $190 million directed toward influencing candidates and regulatory outcomes.
Despite that influx of money, Ford’s campaign relied heavily on grassroots organizing, local political relationships, and the backing of Davis, whose influence in the district has spanned decades.
“Dark money is not good for our democracy,” Ford said following his victory.
Ford, 54, often points to his upbringing in Chicago Housing Authority’s Cabrini-Green Homes as shaping his political outlook. Throughout the campaign, he emphasized economic equity and advocacy for working-class residents.
“I pledge to keep and protect Rep. Davis’s legacy and fight for the people at the bottom and not those with money at the top,” Ford said.
Supporters at the election night gathering echoed that message, portraying the outcome as a rejection of outside political influence. Dr. Vijay G. Prabhakar, president of Davis’s American Multi-Ethnic Commission, addressed the crowd as results became clear.
“Today we learned that no dark money, no crypto money, and Danny Davis’s anointed hands is why La Shawn Ford is the congressman of the Seventh District,” he said.
Family members also framed the campaign in personal and spiritual terms. Ford’s daughter, Tia Ford, told the Crusader, “They tried to take my dad down, but he didn’t let the devil stop him. God had a plan for him. This is a perfect example of people trying to stop him for what God has already planned for him.”
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch praised Ford’s win, telling him, “I told you that you got this,” and adding, “It takes teamwork to make a dream work.”
Cook County Commissioner Tara Stamps said she hopes Ford’s leadership will help unify Democrats in the district and strengthen the party moving forward.
“I hope that his work can unify and strengthen the Party in the face of the erosion of our democracy and that he can provide new directions for the Seventh Congressional District,” Stamps told the Crusader.
While Ford finished first, the results reflected a divided electorate in a race with no dominant frontrunner. Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin placed second with 19,005 votes, or 20.5 percent, followed by Anthony Driver Jr. with 10,518 votes (11.3 percent) and Kina Collins with 8,633 votes (9.3 percent).
Ford said Conyears-Ervin called to concede and wish him well, while former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin also reached out to congratulate him and pledge support ahead of the general election.
Although the Democratic primary drew the most attention, the Republican contest was also decided Tuesday. Chad Koppie won the Republican primary with 3,242 votes, or 65.8 percent, and will face Ford in the November general election.
Ford emphasized that his campaign will continue as he prepares for November.
“The race is not over because we will be right back on the battlefield in November,” he said.
However, the 7th Congressional District has long been a Democratic stronghold, meaning the primary victory places Ford in a strong position to win the seat and succeed Davis.
Beyond the immediate outcome, the race highlighted broader political dynamics, including the growing role of outside spending in local elections and the continued influence of established political networks and endorsements. In a district long represented by a single figure, the competitive primary also revealed divisions within the Democratic field, as well as the challenge of consolidating support among a wide range of candidates.
For Ford, the victory represents both a personal milestone and a transition point for the district, as it prepares to move from one long-serving representative to another figure rooted in local political and community networks.