NASW-IL Announces Endorsements for 2026 Illinois Primary Election

NASW-Illinois Announces Endorsements for March 17, 2026 Primary Election

Chicago, IL — The National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) announced its endorsed candidates for the March 17, 2026 Illinois Primary Election, highlighting the critical role state leadership will play as social workers and human service systems face growing uncertainty at the federal level.

Ongoing instability around federal funding, workforce policy, civil rights enforcement, immigration, health care access, and oversight of emerging technologies has increased pressure on states to act as a backstop for vulnerable communities. 

"As federal protections become less predictable, state leadership has never mattered more,” said NASW-Illinios Chapter Executive Director Joel L. Rubin, MSW, LSW, ACSW, CAE. “The March primary will decide which candidates are willing to step up and protect investments in human services, workforce stability, and the dignity of the people social workers serve."

Social workers across Illinois continue to face high caseloads, workforce shortages, uncompetitive pay, and rising burnout. At the same time, political pressure on professional judgment, evidence-based practice, and client confidentiality is increasing. NASW-IL emphasized that early engagement in the primary election is essential to ensuring that candidates who understand these realities advance to the general election.

NASW-IL election endorsements are informed by the NASW-IL Political Action Committee (PAC), and are made following a comprehensive review process that includes candidate questionnaires, direct engagement, policy positions, historical voting trends where applicable, and the overall competitiveness of each race.

2026 NASW-Illinois Chapter

Illinois Primary Election Endorsements

Illinois Comptroller

• Sen. Karina Villa, MSW – Candidate for Illinois Comptroller

Illinois Senate

• Rachel Ruttenberg – Candidate for Illinois Senate District 9

• Carina Santa Maria, LCSW – Candidate for Illinois Senate District 27

Illinois House of Representatives

• Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 1

• Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, LSW – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 19

• Rep. Kam Buckner – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 26

• Cleopatra Cowley – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 34

• Rep. Jamie Andrade – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 40

• Erin Chan Ding – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 52

• Rep. Norma Hernandez – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 77

• Rep. Jackie Haas, LCSW – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 79

• Saba Haider – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 84

• Rep. Katie Stuart – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 112

• Rep. Jay Hoffman – Candidate for Illinois Representative District 113

DuPage County Board

• Maria Sinkule, DSW – Candidate for the DuPage County Board

NASW-IL notes that many of these primary races are competitive and that early support can be decisive. The chapter encourages social workers and supporters of strong human services policy to vote in the March 17th primary, engage with campaigns, and support candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to social work values and public investment in human services.

“Primary elections set the tone long before the general election,” NASW-IL PAC chair Kristin Rubbelke added. “In these unprecedented times, it is important that social workers show up early and empower others to do the same.”

Additional endorsements may be announced pending further review by the NASW-IL PAC.

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The NASW-IL PAC is the nonpartisan political arm of the National Association of Social Workers-Illinois Chapter. As a political action committee, NASW IL PAC endorse and financially contribute to candidates from any party who support NASW’s policy agenda. The national PACE Board of Trustees endorses and contributes to federal candidates running for U.S. House and Senate seats; state chapter PAC units decide on local and state races.

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with over 120,000 members. The NASW-Illinois Chapter is one of the association's largest chapters representing over 20.000 licensed Illinois social workers and school social workers, with over 5,000 active members. NASW strives to advance social work careers, grow social work businesses, and protect the profession.