Nabeela Syed wins Illinois Senate seat, defeating Republican Darby Hills

Democratic state Rep. Nabeela Syed has won Illinois Senate District 26, defeating Republican incumbent Darby Hills, according to an Associated Press race call reported by Shaw Local.

The result flips the state Senate seat from Republican to Democratic control and moves Syed from the Illinois House, where she represents District 51, to the state Senate. It is a state legislative race, not a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Hills was appointed to the seat in early 2025 after Republican Dan McConchie resigned. Shaw Local reported the AP call on the night of November 3 in Illinois, while counting continued.

This is a media race call, not official certification. Final vote totals may change as counting is completed.