Illinois' 8th Congressional District Race: Primary Election 2022

ILLINOIS — Since 2017, Raja Krishnamoorthi has represented Illinois' 8th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. In Tuesday's primary election, the Democrat will seek the party's nomination for a fourth term in Washington D.C. The congressional seat, to be contested in November's General Election, carries a two-year term.

The congressional district covers parts of Cook County, DuPage County and Kane County. All or parts of Addison, Barrington Hills, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Lombard, Palatine, Roselle, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Streamwood, Villa Park and Wood Dale are included.

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Krishnamoorthi, 48, who emigrated with his family to the U.S. from India, did not respond to Patch's candidate questionnaire. He currently serves on the House Oversight Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Krishnamoorthi, of Schaumburg, is also chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy, and serves as an assistant whip.

During the 2020 election, he told Patch he supports policy platforms focused on growing and strengthening the middle class by supporting small businesses, rebuilding infrastructure, and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Krishnamoorthi also said he has fought to make college more affordable, expand access to paid sick and parental leave, and guarantee equal pay for equal work.

RELATED: Rep. Krishnamoorthi Receives Leadership Award From Sec. Jesse White

Challenging Krishnamoorthi on the Democratic ticket is Junaid Ahmed, 45, a small business owner for the last 15 years. Ahmed, of South Barrington, said in his Patch questionnaire, "I'm running to fix D.C. so it works for us. I have spent years as a community organizer building power in my hometown. That experience has made me realize, however, that to really get things done on a larger scale, we need political leaders who are willing to stand up against special interests and other bad actors that have brought progress to a halt in D.C."

RELATED: Junaid Ahmed: Illinois' 8th Congressional District Candidate

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

A field of five candidates are seeking the Republican nod in Tuesday's primary, while Mohammed Faheem is running as an independent in November.

Chris Dargis, 51, of Palatine, is a businessman and retired Naval officer and nuclear engineer. He said in his Patch questionnaire, "I am seeking the honor of serving the people of the 8th Congressional District of Illinois because I recognize the past few years have been tough on Illinois families. Inflation and high gas prices are eating into budgets, hurting our senior citizens, and placing a severe burden on those who are already struggling to make ends meet."

RELATED: Chris Dargis: Illinois' 8th Congressional District Candidate

Karen Kolodziej, 58, of Itasca, is a caregiver. She said in her Patch questionnaire, "I'm running for office to get our country back from the lunatics... The single most pressing issue facing my constituents is inflation. I intend to take restrictions off of oil companies and let them produce some oil."

RELATED: Karen Kolodziej: Illinois' 8th Congressional District Candidate

Chad Koppie, 84, of Gilberts, has been a farmer for the past 40 years and is a retired 20-year jet pilot. He has been a member of the Kane County Regional Board of Schools since 2007. Koppie said in his Patch questionnaire, "My most important goal is trying to ban abortion. I also want to cut spending, from all federal agencies and cabinet departments. Since the federal government would need less money, the same bill would cut tax rates."

RELATED: Chad Koppie: Illinois' 8th Congressional District Candidate

Phillip Owen Wood, 59, of Carol Stream, is a pastor and licensed mental health counselor. He said in his Patch questionnaire, "I was so disgusted after the last election that I set out immediately to find a viable pro-life candidate to support. When none stepped forward, I felt compelled to enter the race myself to be a voice for those without one."

RELATED: Phillip Owen Wood: Illinois' 8th Congressional District Candidate

Republican candidate Peter Kopsaftis did not fill out a Patch questionnaire. According to his campaign website, Kopsaftis founded his first company in 1985, engaging in acquisitions of properties and development management of commercial and industrial properties. In 2000, he founded a second company providing funding for commercial real estate projects. He serves on the board of the Greek American Rehabilitation and Care Center in Wheeling. He currently serves as the Barrington Township Republican Committeeman/President, and he has assisted many local elected officials in their campaigns for public office.