Maria Peterson says she knocked on 8,000 doors in her effort to win the Democratic nomination in the 52nd Illinois State House District and the opportunity to face state Rep. Martin McLaughlin, R-Barrington Hills, in a rematch of their 2024 contest, which he won by 47 votes.
She appears to have earned that right.
Two years before losing to McLaughlin by 47 votes, Peterson fell to then state Senate Minority Leader Dan McConchie, R-Hawthorn Woods, by 385 votes. She said the inroads she has made since will help in her rematch with McLaughlin.
“I’m going to do the same thing I have been doing, being engaged in the community,” Peterson said. “I have worked with a lot of community organizations, and I make an effort to be present.”
Peterson, a North Barrington resident, claimed victory in the 2026 Democratic primary Tuesday with 64.7% of 11,423 votes cast over Erin Chan Ding of South Barrington, with 35.3%, according to unofficial results.
Late Tuesday night, Ding said in a text she called Peterson, conceded defeat, and “wished her well as she goes on to try and flip this seat.”
Rather than knock on more doors Saturday, Peterson said it was more important to pay her respects to former Wauconda police Officer Christian Pascente, who took his life on March 9. She said police from many departments were coming to Wauconda, and she wanted to help.
“To me, it was more important to be there for the Wauconda Police Department, for which I have such high respect, and especially for the family of Officer Christian Pascente,” Peterson said.
Though she lost the past two elections by narrow margins, Peterson said she believes the 52nd District is changing. She senses the difference as the talks to people in their homes and at other places around the area.
“In 2022, this was a plus-nine (Senate) district for the Republicans, and nobody thought I could beat the (minority) leader,” Peterson said. “When you show up and talk to people, you can tell they’ve had enough of this.”
As she talks to people, Peterson said her goal is to respect the people in the district and help families. She intends to focus on “doing something for them.”
“Over multiple cycles, I’ve built a strong grassroots foundation, deep relationships across the district and a campaign operation that knows how to turn support into votes,” she said during the campaign. “I also bring real-world experience that translates directly into effective leadership.”
Both Peterson and Ding are the children of immigrants. Peterson’s parents came to the U.S. from Mexico and King’s from China.
