Democratic candidates vie for Krishnamoorthi's seat in US House of Representatives

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (WLS) -- From the suburbs along Interstate 90 over to St. Charles, redistricting has resulted in a more diverse and Democratic 8th Congressional District.

It's one quite different than when former Congresswoman Melissa Bean held the seat from 2005-2011.

"I don't think the values shifted. You know, what people care about was true for me when I served in the past, about the American Dream being accessible to everyone," Bean said.

After a defeat to then-Tea Party Candidate Joe Walsh and more than a decade in the private sector, Bean is running again to replace Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for Sen. Dick Durbin's seat.

Bean considers herself the frontrunner based on her legislation experience and name recognition, which also makes her the target in a crowded field of Democratic candidates.

"If somebody is giving you hundreds of thousands of dollars, or millions of dollars, just, let's be clear, you're going to be beholden to them. Nobody is going to give you a million dollars for free," candidate Junaid Ahmed said.

Ahmed has focused some of his campaign on Bean's contributions from big donors and Super Political Action Committees.

In a second run for the 8th Congressional District, Ahmed boasts about refusing to take any PAC contributions. Influenced by Bernie Sanders, the tech entrepreneur considers himself the most progressive candidate in the race.

Ryan Vetticad, 25, also refuses to take PAC money.

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"I really do think we need younger voices in Congress, not just younger voices, but better voices," Vetticad said.

Vetticad is one of the youngest congressional candidates in the country.

A former Department of Justice counterterrorism analyst, Vetticad decided to run after Attorney General Pam Bondi fired his boss.

President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency cuts also motivated Dan Tully, a former Department of Commerce lawyer, who also serves in the U.S. Army Reserve Judge Advocate General's Corps.

"When the president is looking to use the military to further his imperial aspirations, I think it's important to have somebody with military experience, and not just any experience, experience advising commanders in combat zones on matters of life and death," Tully said.

Others running in the 8th Congressional District include Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison, Neil Khot, Hanover Park Village Trustee Yasmeen Bankole and Sanjyot Dunung.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face one of four Republicans in November.

They include Kevin Ake, Jennifer Davis, Herbert Hebein and Mark Rice.

The Illinois primary election is Tuesday.