Donna Miller is headed to Congress, and the Howard University alumna won Illinois’ 2nd District in a rout. On Tuesday night, the Cook County commissioner defeated Republican Michael Noack to claim the open seat. As a result, she will succeed Rep. Robin Kelly, who gave up the seat to run for the U.S. Senate.
Decision Desk HQ called the race at 8 p.m. Eastern time. With about half the vote counted, Miller led with roughly 82% to Noack’s 18%. Decision Desk HQ has the live county-by-county results for the race.
For Howard, it was a strong night. In Washington, D.C., Howard Law alumna Janeese Lewis George won the mayor’s race. Now another Bison is headed to Capitol Hill.
A Storied Seat Changes Hands
Illinois’ 2nd District carries real history. It stretches from Chicago’s South Side through the south suburbs to Kankakee and Danville. Kelly has represented it since 2013.
Miller knows the seat well. Years ago, she served on Kelly’s district health care task force. She also co-chaired Kelly’s annual golf fundraiser from 2014 to 2017.
The district has also changed shape. After redistricting, it now reaches deep into rural central Illinois. That shift made farm policy part of the conversation.
The Real Fight Came in March
The general election was never in doubt. Instead, the battle came in the March 17 Democratic primary. Ten candidates jumped into the race.
The field was stacked. It included state Sens. Robert Peters and Willie Preston. Former Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. also mounted a comeback bid for the seat he once held.
Still, Miller won with about 40% of the vote. Outside groups helped her close the name recognition gap with Jackson. However, rivals also criticized her for raising nearly $900,000 from out-of-state donors.
She celebrated that primary win at the Southland Equity Initiative in Chicago Heights. Then she turned to the fall campaign against Noack, who ran unopposed on the Republican side.
Donna Miller’s Road From Howard to Congress
Miller was born in 1965. She graduated from Chicago’s Lane Technical High School. Afterward, she headed to Washington, D.C., for Howard.
At Howard, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. Later, she took graduate business courses at Pepperdine University.
That business training shaped her career. For decades, she worked as a health care executive. She also served as board chair of Planned Parenthood of Illinois.
Meanwhile, she put down roots in the south suburbs. She has lived in the district for more than 30 years and raised two sons there, Daniel and Donovan.
From the County Board to Capitol Hill
Her first run for office did not go her way. In 2012, she lost a Democratic primary for the Illinois State Senate. Still, she kept at it.
In 2018, she won the 6th District seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Voters reelected her in 2022.
On the board, health care remained her focus. Notably, she secured $1 million a year for three years to launch a doula program at Cook County Hospital. She called it her proudest achievement.
Her first run for office did not go her way. In 2012, she lost a Democratic primary for the Illinois State Senate. Still, she kept at it.
In 2018, she won the 6th District seat on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Voters reelected her in 2022.
On the board, health care remained her focus. Notably, she secured $1 million a year for three years to launch a doula program at Cook County Hospital. She called it her proudest achievement.
She also talked about jobs, affordability, immigration, infrastructure, veterans and seniors. And she spoke often about farming. Her family history traces back to a small farm in Champaign County. Because of that, she says Illinois farmers should compete not just at home but on a global level.
Why Donna Miller’s Win Matters for Howard
Howard has long produced leaders in Washington. Now one more Bison will join them in the House.
Her win also adds to a big night for HBCU alumni nationwide. FAMU alumnus Oliver Gilbert won a House seat in Florida. Meanwhile, FAMU’s Keisha Lance Bottoms won the governor’s race in Georgia.
For more on the university, check out our Howard University coverage. You can also catch up on our Keisha Lance Bottoms coverage from election night.
What Comes Next
Miller will be sworn in when the new Congress convenes in January. Before then, she will step away from the Cook County Board and set up her Washington office.
For more on her primary win, the Hyde Park Herald covered her victory back in March.
Stay with HBCU Buzz for continued coverage of Congresswoman-elect Donna Miller as she heads to Capitol Hill.
