congressional delegation could be getting a new look.

>> 4 members either are retiring or left to run for higher office.

Opening up the opportunity to usher in a new generation of leaders.

Tonight, we welcome candidates who won Democratic primaries in 2 of those districts.

Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won the Democratic nomination in the second district, hoping to replace longtime Congresswoman Robin Kelly in this south side in south suburban district, she beat former Congressman Jesse Jackson junior among several other contenders.

And in the West Side, 7th Congressional District State Representative La Shawn Ford beat a crowded field that included Chicago City Treasurer Melissa Conyers, urban for the Democratic nomination to replace Congressman Danny Davis who served for nearly 30 years.

So joining us now, our second Congressional District Democratic nominee Donald Miller and on Zoom, 7th district.

Democratic nominee was Shawn Ford.

Welcome back.

Welcome to Chicago night.

Thank you for joining us.

And congrats on winning primaries this week.

Thank you so to be here.

So you bet.

So in a crowded field field of contenders for both of you, Donna Miller, first to you.

What do you think it was about your campaign and your messaging that one voters?

Well, we're focused on messaging and talking to the constituents of the second congressional district about what their concerns were, which where affordability, health care.

>> My focus has been health care for many, many years in the public sector as well as on the county board.

And people are desperately afraid of what health care cuts from.

The federal government looked like to them on a personal level.

We talked about that.

I engaged voters all along the way from the 43rd Street all the way down the Danville, which is extent of this district and talked about what people are concerned about.

Talked about families and being part of a community and people want to see someone they can resonate with.

And I think that's what helped make the difference.

Well, Shawn Ford, same question.

What you think it was about your campaign that one voters over?

>> think a combination of trust.

I think having a reputation of getting up every day serving the people that trusted with Office of State representative, you and being responsible and getting out there hitting the pavement, making the case that the right choice that I'll be ready on day one and not to mention having the support of the sitting congressman, the Nikkei Davis.

>> Representative Ford, what will you do to woo the voters who did not vote for you?

Because I should point out in your respective districts on you won a representative 23,000 votes.

Dionne Miller, 33,000 votes for you.

But that means 40,000 people voted for somebody, not you.

how are you going to win those folks over?

>> To serve them we're going to do everything unite the actual 7 congressional district is so good to have been able run with 12 other candidates because they have a base of people that we can all unite to bring them on board.

So every member that ran for Congress in the 7th Congressional District, I'm hoping that we all have a unity breakfast and do everything we can to bring their constituents on board so that their voices could be heard.

And we can have a strong district.

Commissioner Miller.

>> I think the same sort of thing.

I think that people are concerned about many things are aligned with similar candidates.

Those who did not align with my candidacy.

I want to have town halls across all the entire district and bring people and I promise that to people as I've talked to them across the district so that we can hear what they're concerned about, because it's every changing as we see with this administration, something different happens every single day.

So we want to make sure that accessing people meeting them where they are, but also making sure that they know that we can be a resource to them.

Com commissioner, sir, you said that neglect lacking economic investments, a leading to taxation inequities in your community, your district, those are the most pressing issues.

>> If elected in November, how do you plan on addressing that as as a freshman as a rookie congressperson?

Well, be right.

So hopefully, you know, hoping that the house is going to change.

And 26 and so we'll have a little bit more power to do things and get things done.

What we see across all districts is that people want to have businesses come to communities.

I have a focus, economic development plan and focus on really talking about and making sure that we're focused the best economic engine that we could see on the South side and south suburbs Chicago is the south suburban airport.

I talked about that.

The SAT the second congressional district is the largest logistical hub in the entire North America.

So we already have real.

already have transportation through the 5 highways, the interstates that meet and now we get to air portion will be able to connect not only throughout the state of Illinois that have international connection and bring resources the communities and that will lift up all the communities involved Representative Ford, you told Wbtw News our voter guide that affordability and health care are the most pressing issues facing your constituents.

>> What steps would you take to address that if elected?

>> Well, I know that the Democrats are very passionate, making sure that we're able to re store Obama care for those that have been that's that's struggling to keep good.

The degree determination going annually to every 6 months.

So we have to repeal.

And the Trump administration big ugly bill take away the tax cuts to billionaires return the money back to our health care systems for our seniors and for our communities that need it.

Most.

And the best way to do that is to unite is a Democratic Party and be as progressive possible.

So that when we win back the House and hopefully Senate, we don't mess up the opportunity to give the people in this country what they need most.

And that is Medicare for all.

And so we have to fight and be strong and not miss the opportunity again.

>> Commissioner Miller prior to Tuesday, sitting Representative Jan Schakowsky withdrew her endorsement of your race out of ties to a packed owners.

Now as this race continues, are you concerned that the financial support of your campaign from donors who have given to a packed and it's affiliate super PAC.

Could that negatively impact your campaign heading into November?

No, I don't think so.

In a matter of fact, he I talked today.

>> And so are back on the same page.

We're on the same doing what's right for people which we are.

We've happened.

I mean, I've been a leader for women's reproductive rights for for decades.

That something else I'm going to continue to do.

So I think that you know, my opponents had a great time talking about what these issues look like.

But the constituents of the second congressional district are focused on health care as as Representative Ford also mentioned, health care, Medicare for all.

These are things that he and I have also So we're going to be great in the freshman class together talking about these issues that we've already champion are different levels of government and that the other important thing is bringing all levels of government together.

And that's what's gonna make a difference.

Representative Ford, several super PACs, including a pact.

They supported your opposition candidate Melissa Conyers, Irvine.

>> Are you concerned about the role of big money in Illinois elections?

>> Absolutely.

I mean, we have to protect our democracy and make sure that voices of the people are not drowned out by money and special interests.

People hiding behind dark money.

You know, people will not be able to run for office represent their constituents.

If the have dark money.

So I really hope that we could do something to have campaign finance reform and and citizens action in America.

for our democracy.

>> Before we run out of time, there is a lot of pressure, of course, on the Democratic this year after the 2024 election cycle.

Commissioner, to you on this first, how do you think the party should be shifting its focus and how do you see your candidacy getting into You know, I think was in the room changes how the conversations go.

We're going to have 4 new congressional candidate, people from the state of Illinois.

That's how we're going to shift the focus.

We're also going to be the majority in the House.

That's going to shift the focus.

And I think if we're all aligned on the things that people are concerned about as we keep talking about health care is the number one, cutting 880 billion dollars health care is not what people feel comfortable with.

We want people feel comfortable.

We want them to trust in their government.

And I want to deliver that to the constituents of the second district.

Sounds like you feel confident in about Democrats.

>> Picking up some seats in taking.

That is a really I do.

Yes, yeah.

I think it's going to happen.

10 seconds.

Representative Ford II feel the same way.

>> I do.

As long as we wind our 10 and bring more people and we have to bring the young people in the James Eason, the millennials to make sure that they are able to fight get their message out.

That's how we're going to win district.