Illinois state Rep. La Shawn Ford has clinched victory in the race for the 7th Congressional District, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. Ford will succeed the retiring Rep. Danny Davis, a Democrat who has represented the district for nearly three decades.
Ford, a Democrat from Chicago's Austin neighborhood, currently serves in the Illinois House of Representatives, where he has been a member since January 2007. Before entering politics, he played basketball at Loyola University Chicago, taught in the Chicago Public Schools system, and launched a real estate business.
His path to Congress was not without obstacles. In the Democratic primary, Ford faced a formidable opponent in Fairshake, a super PAC funded largely by cryptocurrency interests. The group spent $2.5 million in an attempt to defeat him, making the race one of the most expensive in the state. Despite that financial firepower, Ford emerged victorious, a testament to his local roots and grassroots support.
Davis, who announced his retirement in July 2025, has been a fixture in Illinois politics since his first election in 1996. He served on the powerful Ways and Means Committee and held a leadership role in the Congressional Black Caucus. Notably, Davis endorsed Ford in the race, lending his support to the man who will now carry on his legacy.
Ford's win is part of a broader wave of new faces heading to Congress. In neighboring districts, other newcomers are also securing seats, such as Biss winning the seat vacated by Jan Schakowsky. The trend reflects a generational shift in the House, with several long-serving members retiring.
Ford has pledged to focus on issues important to his constituents, including economic development, education, and healthcare. His background as a teacher and small business owner gives him a unique perspective on the challenges facing working families in the district.
As he prepares to take office, Ford will join a class of freshmen lawmakers who are expected to shake up the chamber. The 7th District, which includes parts of Chicago's West Side and western suburbs, has been a Democratic stronghold for decades, and Ford is expected to maintain that tradition.
His victory also highlights the growing influence of outside money in local elections. The crypto industry's heavy spending against Ford was seen as a test case for how digital asset interests might shape future races. Ford's ability to withstand that pressure is likely to be studied by political strategists in the coming months.
Ford lives in Austin with his daughter, Tia. He will be sworn in when the new Congress convenes, marking the start of a new chapter for the district and for Illinois politics.
