Demi Palecek Picks Up Key Progressive Endorsements in 13th District State House Race (Chicago, IL) – State House candidate Demi Palecek has secured a slate of endorsements from prominent progressive leaders and organizations, bolstering her campaign in the 13th District Democratic primary.
Palecek, a working-class veteran and active-duty National Guard member, announced support from State Rep. and Latino Caucus Chair Norma Hernandez, State Sen. Javier Cervantes, Illinois Progressives and 50501 National. The campaign said the endorsements reflect growing momentum behind Palecek’s bid for the Illinois House.
Hernandez, who represents the 77th House District and chairs the Illinois House Latino Caucus, praised Palecek as a “fierce, values-driven leader” prepared to take on entrenched political and economic interests.
“We are living through difficult realities, where corporate donors have too regularly controlled our politics and shaped decisions at the expense of working families,” Hernandez said in a statement. “Now more than ever, we must elect leaders who are accountable to the people of Illinois and committed to dismantling the systems that have created these inequities.”
Cervantes, who represents the 1st Senate District, said Palecek aligns with his vision of “people-driven leadership” and emphasized shared priorities that include lowering the cost of living, expanding access to health care, protecting reproductive rights and increasing funding for public education. He also cited immigration enforcement concerns as a key issue in the race.
Illinois Progressives, a statewide political organization, included Palecek in its 2026 primary endorsement slate, describing its endorsed candidates as supporters of Medicare for All and broader human rights protections.
Meanwhile, 50501 National — a grassroots group critical of former President Donald Trump — highlighted Palecek’s outspoken stance against the use of military forces in federal immigration enforcement. The organization noted that Palecek, one of a small number of active-duty National Guard members publicly opposing such actions, is under investigation related to her comments, a situation it characterized as a risk to her 14-year service record.
Palecek said the endorsements signal that her campaign is resonating with working-class voters in the district.
“It is everything to me to have the support of Latino Caucus Chair Rep. Hernandez, Sen. Cervantes, Illinois Progressives, and 50501 National,” Palecek said. “These endorsements let every working person in District 13 know that this movement is real, it is growing, and it cannot be bought.”
The 13th District race is part of the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary election.
Demi Palecek Picks Up Key Progressive Endorsements in 13th District State House Race
