6th Congressional District candidate Grace Haaf drops out of race

One of the candidates in the crowded field for the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District in the March 2018 primary election has dropped out of the race.

Grace Haaf announced she is out of the race and is throwing her support to Barrington Hills Plan Commissioner Kelly Mazeski.

“Kelly is the best candidate to take on Peter Roskam and provide the residents of the 6th District with a leader who listens and cares,” Haaf said in a news release from her campaign office. “I look forward to working with her in the election.”

Candidates have until Dec. 4 to file nominating petitions to get on the March 20 ballot. Whoever wins the Democratic nod will likely face U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam, R-Wheaton, in the November 2018 general election. Roskam, who has filed for reelection, was first elected to Congress in 2006.

"I am inspired by the people I met over the last three months," Haaf said in a letter to supporters announcing her decision to drop out of the race. "Your passion, commitment and drive make me hopeful for our future and more determined than ever to do my part to reform Washington. Those of you who know me well know I am incapable of walking away from a battle over right and wrong, so rest assured this is not the end. I hope this is not the last time I will see you on the front line with me. We will not give up."

Along with Mazeski, Democratic candidates filing petitions so far include scientist and engineer Sean Casten of Downers Grove; Becky Anderson Wilkins, co-owner of Anderson’s Bookshops and a member of the Naperville City Council; College of Lake County Trustee Amanda Howland, who lost to Roskam in the November 2016 general election; regulatory attorney and Clarendon Hills resident Jennifer Zordani; and Palatine resident Ryan Huffman.