State Sen. Mike Simmons will launch his campaign Tuesday, he told the Tribune, joining recently announced state Rep. Hoan Huynh — who also planned a campaign kickoff event Tuesday evening — and some 10 other Democratic candidates vying for the seat.
The latest campaign announcements come just ahead of the Cook County Democratic Party’s planned slating meetings next week, when the party is expected to endorse candidates ahead of the 2026 primary. […]
“I’m running because the communities in the 9th District have raised me, and they’re struggling,” Simmons said Monday. “It’s one of the most diverse areas in the nation, and it is becoming unaffordable for too many.” […]
He said he’s running in part to help families who feel priced out of the district.
“I symbolize everything that Donald Trump is trying to erase right now, but the point that’s really important is that this is going to be about so much more than Donald Trump. It’s going to be about talking about those (affordability) struggles,” said Simmons, who is 42 and lives in Rogers Park.
Sen. Simmons jumping into the race isn’t a surprise, he participated in a campaign event with other Democratic challengers last month.
[Sen. Simmons] joins a crowded field of Democrats vying for the seat that includes Chicago’s North Side and nearby suburbs. Democratic candidates include fellow state Sen. Laura Fine, state Rep. Hoan Huynh, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, Skokie school board member Bushra Amiwala, civil rights attorney Howard Rosenblum, progressive influencer Kat Abughazaleh, community organizer and former Schakowsky aide Miracle Jenkins, high school math teacher David Abrevaya, Evanston resident Bethany Johnson, environmental health and safety professional Justin Ford and homeless advocate Lauren Million.
I believe his state senate seat isn’t up until 2028 so he loses nothing by trying.
I live in his district and have contacted him a handful of times over the years - never got any response. He seems more interested in progressive populism than getting stuff done or addressing root causes, so he will fit right in the DC environment.
His introduction is polished, but it makes it appear that the Chicago portion of the 9th district is a utopia already rather than a neighborhood where crime is common concern.
Unless there’s some drastic change to the district boundaries in 2030, which seems doubtful, whoever wins this seat is destined to hold it for a long time. I don’t blame him for jumping in.
The Simmons video feels “generic”. You could take that verbiage and replace any democrat name in America. The politics of slick videos doesn’t impress me.
Completely agree with you about Simmons and constituent services. It does not seem to rank high on his list of priorities. He likes posing as a progressive champion much more.
The more candidates that have historical ties to the district the more likely it is for a social media influencer that just moved to town to win, or for Laura Fine who lacks the progressivism of Jan Schakowsky.
I live in Simmons’ district too. He has been very responsive for anything I have needed. But he does cater to his base. I’m definitely not progressive. Glad he is throwing his name out there for name recognition. He’s 42, a relative baby in political terms. Now that folks like Durbin and Jan are finally moving on, it’s good to see opportities for younger generations to move up.
I live in his district, and I’ve met him a number of times in personal (non-professional, non-political) settings. Nice enough guy, but I don’t see any particular reason to choose him over anyone else in this field right now.
Nah, there’s no reason to vote for him. I’ve had several unfortunate interactions with his staffers. Who someone hires speaks volumes. I agree that he’s a progressive who doesn’t understand how to make progress.
My experience with Simmons is that he’ll make a lot of noise about an issue and then never follow through with any effort, so this ad is probably the most his campaign will do.
I know Mike, I like Mike, but I am a suburbanite now and I am voting for Laura.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:22 pm:
=== Laura Fine who lacks the progressivism of Jan Schakowsky. ===
So what? I think Laura Fine would be great. I think we need a little more common sense in Congress rather than people who are tied to progressive or conservative ideologies.
I have met Simmons on several occasions and he couldn’t have been less interested in talking to me. Probably because I am not in his target audience. In my opinion, he is just an opportunist playing to the progressive crowd just to get votes.
There may need to be a question of the day on what percentage of the primary vote the winning candidate receives next Mar. 17? At this rate if all these candidates remain through March I would not be surprised if the winner only receives about 20% of the vote at most.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:47 pm:
Maybe the surge in candidates is just a ploy to justify moving to a ranked choice voting system /s
At some point, very soon, the list of people who aren’t running will be shorter than the list of those who are. I’m curious to see who actually makes it onto the primary ballot.
Like others have said, nice guy, but I’m with Laura Fine. I also think Simmons, Huynh, Biss, Bushra, and Kat will be fighting over the same pool of voters.
It will be interesting to see how Simmons runs a campaign.
He’s never had to run for office. He was appointed to his seat and never had a viable opponent.
Being a candidate is easy when the field is cleared for you, your team is a pro ballclub like the Senate Democrats, and anyone else running is playing T-ball.
“I would not be surprised if the winner only receives about 20% of the vote at most.”
That’s my take as well. And with Dan, Laura, Huan, Mike and Cat all dividing up the progressive vote, there is ample opportunity for someone to appeal to the substantial moderate part of the district. Phil Andrew perhaps?
Biss cant like Phil Andrew and Mike Simmons getting in race and probably not a fan of Hoan either. He probably thought he could prevent others but when 25% probably wins why not give it a shot if you are anyone who wants to run
My head is spinning with all of these candidates throwing their hats in. If you’re going to run, you need to at least have a path to win and I can only see a couple of folks here with that. Most won’t end up in the ballot.
The only reason mike simmons is even in government is because heather steans quit right after she got elected and the local democratic party appointed him to the seat.
unfortunately for him he will actually have to win this race against actual opponents instead of running uncontested every year in chicago.
he does sponsor a lot of useless bills that usually go nowhere (fortunately). but that doesnt separate him from Hoan, who doesnt much either.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 8:17 am:
I believe his state senate seat isn’t up until 2028 so he loses nothing by trying.
I live in his district and have contacted him a handful of times over the years - never got any response. He seems more interested in progressive populism than getting stuff done or addressing root causes, so he will fit right in the DC environment.
- Henry - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 8:29 am:
I find it interesting when Dems talk about “affordability issues” when their only solution to a problem is more spending and taxes.
- Alton Sinkhole - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 8:36 am:
Nice enough guy but just don’t see a pass here. Honestly think Hoan is a much stronger candidate
- Where's the Beef - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 8:41 am:
I cannot figure State Senator Mike Simmons out.
His introduction is polished, but it makes it appear that the Chicago portion of the 9th district is a utopia already rather than a neighborhood where crime is common concern.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 8:46 am:
who is running for real? who is running to block? can’t take this candidate seriously.
- Sugar Plums - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:04 am:
Kelly Cassidy isn’t running? Very disappointing.
- City Zen - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:16 am:
Unless there’s some drastic change to the district boundaries in 2030, which seems doubtful, whoever wins this seat is destined to hold it for a long time. I don’t blame him for jumping in.
- hmmm - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:39 am:
It’s Huynh’s seat. Can’t you feel it? It’s destiny!
- PoliticsD - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:41 am:
Dems couldn’t talk about “affordability” when they were in charge I guess.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:43 am:
This cycle has really amazed me. Everyone thinks they can be a member of Congress.
- James - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:45 am:
The Simmons video feels “generic”. You could take that verbiage and replace any democrat name in America. The politics of slick videos doesn’t impress me.
- Johnny B - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 9:49 am:
We need more affordable housing built that doesn’t cost government 750K per unit in Chicago
Senator Simmons solutions- more government spending contribute significantly to higher inflation which makes life less affordable
https://chicago.suntimes.com/other-views/2025/03/31/chicago-new-affordable-housing-building-city-hall-housing-department-richard-day
- Steve - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 10:11 am:
-I find it interesting when Dems talk about “affordability issues”-
The gas tax just went up at the pump in Illinois, so some politicians don’t care about affordable items common peoples budgets.
- Where's the Beef - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 10:24 am:
@Just Me 2:
Completely agree with you about Simmons and constituent services. It does not seem to rank high on his list of priorities. He likes posing as a progressive champion much more.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 10:32 am:
The more candidates that have historical ties to the district the more likely it is for a social media influencer that just moved to town to win, or for Laura Fine who lacks the progressivism of Jan Schakowsky.
- levivotedforjudy - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 10:56 am:
I live in Simmons’ district too. He has been very responsive for anything I have needed. But he does cater to his base. I’m definitely not progressive. Glad he is throwing his name out there for name recognition. He’s 42, a relative baby in political terms. Now that folks like Durbin and Jan are finally moving on, it’s good to see opportities for younger generations to move up.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:13 am:
(This post may be updated as needed)
- Homebody - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:22 am:
I live in his district, and I’ve met him a number of times in personal (non-professional, non-political) settings. Nice enough guy, but I don’t see any particular reason to choose him over anyone else in this field right now.
- Excitable Boy - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:39 am:
- He seems more interested in progressive populism than getting stuff done -
He has a pretty long list of bills he’s sponsoring for a do nothing legislator.
- Northsider - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:42 am:
Nah, there’s no reason to vote for him. I’ve had several unfortunate interactions with his staffers. Who someone hires speaks volumes. I agree that he’s a progressive who doesn’t understand how to make progress.
- SammyG - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 11:57 am:
My experience with Simmons is that he’ll make a lot of noise about an issue and then never follow through with any effort, so this ad is probably the most his campaign will do.
- Rahm's Parking Meter - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
I know Mike, I like Mike, but I am a suburbanite now and I am voting for Laura.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 12:22 pm:
=== Laura Fine who lacks the progressivism of Jan Schakowsky. ===
So what? I think Laura Fine would be great. I think we need a little more common sense in Congress rather than people who are tied to progressive or conservative ideologies.
I have met Simmons on several occasions and he couldn’t have been less interested in talking to me. Probably because I am not in his target audience. In my opinion, he is just an opportunist playing to the progressive crowd just to get votes.
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:38 pm:
There may need to be a question of the day on what percentage of the primary vote the winning candidate receives next Mar. 17? At this rate if all these candidates remain through March I would not be surprised if the winner only receives about 20% of the vote at most.
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 1:47 pm:
Maybe the surge in candidates is just a ploy to justify moving to a ranked choice voting system /s
- 10th ward - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:19 pm:
I with Laura Fine, although Dan Biss may end up winning?
- Northsider - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:21 pm:
At some point, very soon, the list of people who aren’t running will be shorter than the list of those who are. I’m curious to see who actually makes it onto the primary ballot.
- P. - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:26 pm:
More spending and taxes? Sorry bro which party again?
The State has been running austerity budgets for years and look at the position that’s put us in at the moment.
- Joseph M - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:39 pm:
Ranked choice voting would make this election much more fair
- Polibug - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:50 pm:
Like others have said, nice guy, but I’m with Laura Fine. I also think Simmons, Huynh, Biss, Bushra, and Kat will be fighting over the same pool of voters.
- Former Downstater - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 2:59 pm:
I’d like to announce I’m also running for this seat.
I feel my chances of winning are just as good at about 75% of the people in this race.
- Leatherneck - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 3:06 pm:
=I also think Simmons, Huynh, Biss, Bushra, and Kat will be fighting over the same pool of voters.=
What about Miracle?
- Remember the Alamo II - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 3:23 pm:
=== Ranked choice voting would make this election much more fair ===
It would make it a lot of things, but more fair would not be one of them.
- Frida's Boss - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 4:00 pm:
It will be interesting to see how Simmons runs a campaign.
He’s never had to run for office. He was appointed to his seat and never had a viable opponent.
Being a candidate is easy when the field is cleared for you, your team is a pro ballclub like the Senate Democrats, and anyone else running is playing T-ball.
- New Day - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 4:06 pm:
“I would not be surprised if the winner only receives about 20% of the vote at most.”
That’s my take as well. And with Dan, Laura, Huan, Mike and Cat all dividing up the progressive vote, there is ample opportunity for someone to appeal to the substantial moderate part of the district. Phil Andrew perhaps?
- T - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 4:19 pm:
Biss cant like Phil Andrew and Mike Simmons getting in race and probably not a fan of Hoan either. He probably thought he could prevent others but when 25% probably wins why not give it a shot if you are anyone who wants to run
- Shytown - Tuesday, Jul 8, 25 @ 4:43 pm:
My head is spinning with all of these candidates throwing their hats in. If you’re going to run, you need to at least have a path to win and I can only see a couple of folks here with that. Most won’t end up in the ballot.
- bcube - Wednesday, Jul 9, 25 @ 11:50 pm:
The only reason mike simmons is even in government is because heather steans quit right after she got elected and the local democratic party appointed him to the seat.
unfortunately for him he will actually have to win this race against actual opponents instead of running uncontested every year in chicago.
he does sponsor a lot of useless bills that usually go nowhere (fortunately). but that doesnt separate him from Hoan, who doesnt much either.