Bill Foster

In the 2024 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) won with 55.6% of the vote, defeating Jerry Evans (R) who received 44.4%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Bill Foster's 11.2-point lead over the runner-up showed solid but not overwhelming support.

As the incumbent, Bill Foster benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2022 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) defeated Catalina Lauf (R) 56.5% to 43.5%. Bill Foster received 149,172 votes compared to 115,069 for Catalina Lauf, a comfortable 12.9-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

As the incumbent, Bill Foster benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Bill Foster won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Biden was in office).

In the 2020 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) won with 63.3% of the vote, defeating Rick Laib (R) who received 36.7%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Bill Foster's 26.6-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Bill Foster benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Democrat column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2018 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) defeated Nick Stella (R) 63.8% to 36.2%. Bill Foster received 145,407 votes compared to 82,358 for Nick Stella, a dominant 27.7-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Bill Foster benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Bill Foster benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Republican in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats.

In the 2016 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) defeated Tonia Khouri (R) 60.5% to 39.5%. Bill Foster received 166,578 votes compared to 108,995 for Tonia Khouri, a dominant 20.9-point margin reflecting a safely partisan district.

As the incumbent, Bill Foster benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2016 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.

In the 2014 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) defeated Darlene Senger (R) 53.5% to 46.5%. Bill Foster received 93,436 votes compared to 81,335 for Darlene Senger, a 6.9-point margin that indicates a genuinely contested race.

As the incumbent, Bill Foster benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Democrat, Bill Foster won despite the historical midterm penalty against the president's party (Democrat Obama was in office).

In the 2012 House race for IL-11, Bill Foster (D) defeated Judy Biggert (R) 58.6% to 41.4%. Bill Foster received 148,928 votes compared to 105,348 for Judy Biggert, a comfortable 17.1-point margin indicating a moderately safe district.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2012 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.