South Cook News

Thomas Lynch won the Republican primary in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. 

He will face Democrat incumbent Robin Kelly in the fall. 

“I'm happy to announce I have won my primary election to be the Republican candidate for the 2nd Congressional District in Illinois!" Lynch stated on Facebook. "I'm honored that the people of the 2nd District have put their trust in me. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I've been to nearly every corner of the district and the sentiment is the same everywhere. The people in Washington aren't hearing what regular Americans are saying."    

Lynch said he "joined this race to fight for real representation."

"It's time to put regular Americans in Washington," he said. "The people have the power. The fight has only just begun."

Lynch narrowly defeated primary opponent Shane Cultra, a former member of the Illinois General Assembly and the Iroquois County Board. Lynch, according to the Daily Journal, had 37.3% of the vote, Cultra with 35.7% and Ashley Ramos with 27.1%. The race was too close to call on election night, but Lynch was declared the winner two days later. 

The second district encompasses parts of Kankakee, Will, Cook, Ford, Livingston, Champaign and Vermilion Counties. 

Lynch works as a meat and poultry inspector at the Illinois Department of Agriculture, his campaign website stated. He served 3 years as a Military Police Officer and "rejoined the civilian ranks working with behavioral issues in young men 12-18 years old," after a knee injury that lead to his honorable discharge.

Kelly has been in office since 2013; previously, she was the chief administrative officer for Cook County. She has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Additionally, she was elected to serve as the chair of the Illinois Democratic Party in 2021.