House Democrats Secure Fifth Seat Flip with George McClellan’s Victory in 114TH District
Strategic Polling, Targeted Investment, and Determined Campaign Effort Deliver Another Hard-Fought Victory for Illinois House Democrats
Springfield, IL — November 4, 2026 — Democrats for the Illinois House (DIH) is proud to announce another major victory in the 2026 General Election, with DIH-supported candidate George McClellan winning Illinois House District 114. This hard-fought victory brings the total number of seats flipped by House Democrats to five, further expanding the caucus’s historic supermajority in the Illinois House of Representatives.
McClellan’s victory is particularly significant given the district’s initial political landscape. Last election cycle, the district seemed out of reach for Dems, with former Rep. LaToya Greenwood falling to Kevin Schmidt. But House leadership saw an opportunity where others saw an obstacle. Current results show McClellan ahead by 558 votes.
Local Democrats identified McClellan as a potential candidate, and DIH helped him draft and file his petitions. After conducting polling and evaluating the district’s changing dynamics, DIH identified a viable path to victory. Armed with data, a strong candidate, and a clear understanding of the electorate, House Democrats made the strategic decision to match that opportunity with the resources and investment necessary to compete.
“This is what a winning political operation looks like,” said Speaker Welch. “So many of these candidates we started with two years ago in our recruitment process, and then there were other districts that we monitored for opportunities to succeed. We didn’t just recruit candidates and protect the seats we had, we challenged ourselves to compete and expand. We followed the data, backed our candidates, and made the investments necessary to win. George McClellan’s victory is proof that when we compete with purpose and conviction, we can expand what’s possible.”
The victory underscores DIH’s disciplined and aggressive approach to the 2026 election cycle. Rather than relying solely on traditional political assumptions, House Democrats invested in independent research, identified emerging opportunities, and strategically deployed resources to expand the electoral map.
With more than $35 million raised this election cycle, DIH successfully defended Democratic incumbents, expanded its offensive targets, and delivered five seat flips, strengthening an already historic Democratic supermajority.
The addition of District 114 to the Democratic column marks another milestone in a successful election cycle and reinforces the strength of the House Democratic campaign operation.
As House Democrats prepare for the next legislative session, the caucus remains committed to building on these victories and advancing policies that support working families, strengthen public education, expand economic opportunity, and deliver meaningful results for communities across Illinois