Electability. It might be an uninspiring battle cry, as the 2026 national primary season kicks off, especially for progressive Democrats. It will certainly land with a thud among the Bernie Sanders/Elizabeth Warren crowd. Yet, if Democrats don’t nominate the most electable candidates, their party will lose big in November.

The chance to retake the U.S. House and Senate is an opportunity too scrumptious to ignore. In Illinois, there is no fretting over electability. In this deep-blue state, Democrats can nominate a ham sandwich — even one with ketchup — and the odds will remain overwhelmingly in their favor.

Take one sizzling race, the primary campaign for the U.S. Senate. The three leading Democrats are enmeshed in a torrid fight for their political lives. Whether it is U.S. Reps.  Robin Kelly or Raja Krishnamoorthi or Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, next week’s primary victor will be a shoo-in for the Nov. 3 general election.

It’s a lock for the Democrats. No matter who the GOP nominates, they will be overwhelmed. The same goes in the sprawling battles for the five open congressional seats in the Chicago metro area. The blue blood is in the water in Illinois.

The odds are so........

© Chicago Tribune