Voters to Elect Democrat Successor for Rep. Danny Davis in 7th District
State Representative La Shawn Ford won the crowded Democratic primary for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District on Tuesday. He defeated twelve rivals to claim the nomination.
Voters had the chance to elect a Democrat successor for Rep. Danny Davis in the 7th District. Ford declared victory Tuesday night at a South Side watch party.
Primary results and turnout
Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin conceded soon after. With 86.3 percent of precincts reporting, Ford led with 23.8 percent.
Conyears-Ervin trailed at 20.3 percent. Labor leader Anthony Driver Jr. had 11.3 percent.
General election matchup
Ford will meet Republican Chad Koppie in the November general election. Election Day was March 17, 2026, when Ford voted at George Rogers Clark Elementary in Austin.
Candidate backgrounds
Ford has served in the Illinois General Assembly since 2007. He chairs the House appropriations committee for higher education.
He is 54 years old and grew up in Chicago public housing. Born in Cabrini-Green, he was adopted by his grandmother and raised in Austin.
Ford is a former Chicago Public Schools teacher. He ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 2019.
He has advocated supervised drug-use sites to reduce fatal overdoses. He also supports state regulation of hemp-derived THC products.
Ford faced federal bank fraud charges years ago. Those counts were dropped before he pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor in 2014.
The misdemeanor stemmed from failing to pay about $3,700 in income taxes. He resolved that matter in the mid-2010s.
Conyears-Ervin and campaign context
Melissa Conyears-Ervin ran again after finishing as runner-up two years ago. This cycle she benefited from a large influx of money from AIPAC.
Shortly before 9 p.m., Conyears-Ervin called Ford to concede. She pledged to work with him as city treasurer on West and South Sides issues.
She thanked supporters and highlighted her South Side roots and West Side upbringing. She noted caring for a disabled sister who relies on SNAP and Medicaid. She said she will keep fighting for constituents affected by federal policy.
District and Davis’ legacy
The 7th District is a diverse, deep-blue area. It covers parts of Englewood, the Loop, Austin, and nearby suburbs.
Danny Davis has represented the district since 1997. He announced he would not seek a 16th term and endorsed Ford this summer.
Davis serves on the House Ways and Means Committee. He is ranking member of the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee.
He is known for work on civil rights, voting rights, and women’s rights. He also advanced health care and criminal justice reforms.
This report was prepared for Filmogaz.com. More coverage will follow as results finalize.
