Update - Cook County 2026 Judicial Races: Clear Winners and Major Upsets

As ballots continue to be counted across Cook County, early results in the judicial races are beginning to take shape, with several candidates emerging as clear winners and several incumbents falling short of reelection.

Based on current results reported by the Cook County Clerk’s office and the Chicago Board of Elections, the winning candidates below are most likely to advance as judicial nominees in the November 2026 general election.

Incumbents Unseated in String of Major Upsets

Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Coghlan)

Ashonta C. Rice - 60.47%

Suburban Cook Votes: 148,352 Chicago Votes: 218,035

Michael Carbonagi - 39.53%

Suburban Cook Votes: 121,802 Chicago Votes: 118,325

Margin: +20.94

Rice’s evident win was one of the most notable results of the night. Illinois Democratic Party leader Michael Cabonargi had the advantage of incumbency, but that did not translate into electoral success.

Circuit Court of Cook County Judge (Vacancy of Cobbs)

Luz Maria Toledo - 56.7%

Suburban Cook Votes: 160,102 Chicago Votes: 185,577

Linda Sackey (Incumbent) - 43.3%

Suburban Cook Votes: 110,289 Chicago Votes: 152,222

Margin: +13.4

Judge, 1st Subcircuit (Vacancy of Walker)

Ashley Greer Shambley - 39.12%

Chicago Votes: 16,264

Tiffany N. Brooks - 38.99%

Chicago Votes: 15,208

Ginger Odom (Incumbent) - 21.89%

Chicago Votes: 9,102

Margin: Shambley currently leads Brooks by less than 60 votes.

Strong Wins

Judge, 1st Subcircuit (Vacancy of Balanoff)

Radiance Ward - 66.1%

Chicago Votes: 27,294

Margin: +32.2

Judge, 3rd Subcircuit (Vacancy of Sherlock)

Rachel Marrello - 73.83%

Suburban Cook Votes: 8,949 Chicago Votes: 5,687

Margin: +47.66

Judge, 8th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Mikva)

Lester Finkle- 51.82%

Chicago Votes: 17,476

Margin: +18.11 (against closest competitor)

Judge, 11th Subcircuit (Vacancy of McLean Meyerson)

Jarrett Knox- 61.08%

Suburban Cook Votes: 13,205 Chicago Votes: 8,097

Margin: +22.16

Judge, 17th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Brooks)

Natalia Moore - 74.9%

Suburban Cook Votes: 17,720 Chicago Votes: 5,283

Margin: +49.8

Judge, 17th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Carroll)

Bianca B. Brown - 57.76%

Suburban Cook Votes: 14,609 Chicago Votes: 3,314

Margin: +30.56 (next to closest competitor)

Judge, 19th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Kane)

Monica Summerville - 42.30%

Suburban Cook Votes: 8,611 Chicago Votes: 3,889

Margin: +12.09 (against closest competitor)

Judge, 20th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Miller)

John Stromska- 58.17%

Chicago Votes: 30,496

Margin: +16.34

Tight Races

Judge, 8th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Gamrath)

Kathleen Cunniff Ori- 43.33%

Chicago Votes: 14,385

Elizabeth Christina Dibler - 42.71%

Chicago Votes: 14,178

Garson Fischer - 13.96%

Chicago Votes: 4,636

Margin: Cunniff Ori has a lead on Dibler by 207 votes.

Check back here as more results roll in from across Cook County!