THE FOLLOWING RELEASE IS FROM MARY CATHERINE ROBERSON’S CAMPAIGN
ABOVE: Mary Catherine Roberson being greeted by supporters when she arrived at the Heron on Election Night.
DANVILLE, IL — November 4, 2026 — Mary Catherine Roberson has made history, becoming the first African American and first woman elected to represent Illinois House District 104.
With the latest tabulated returns showing Roberson receiving 51.5% of the vote to her opponent’s 48.5%, the lifelong Danville resident and community advocate has won a historic election. Additional vote-by-mail ballots are expected to be counted.
“This campaign has always been about something bigger than me,” said Roberson. “It’s about working families doing everything right and still struggling to get ahead. It’s about neighborhoods that have been overlooked, people who feel like their voices aren’t heard, and the belief that every single one of us deserves a seat at the table.
Over the last five months, our team knocked on more than 22,000 doors, made thousands of phone calls, and had conversations with people in every corner of this district. Some residents told us that nobody had ever knocked on their door before. We changed that.
I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who made this possible. Every volunteer who knocked on a door, made a call, hosted an event, donated, shared a post, or offered a word of encouragement. I know what it means to give your time and resources when life is already demanding so much of you. I don’t take a single bit of that generosity for granted.
As a Black woman born and raised in Danville, I understand the significance of this moment. I hope every young girl who has ever been told what she can’t do sees this victory and knows that she can. But making history was never the goal. Making a difference is.
And to those who didn’t vote for me, I want you to know that I will work just as hard for you. We may not agree on everything, but we all want safe neighborhoods, good schools, opportunities for our children, and a fair shot at building a good life.
The campaign may be over, but the work is just beginning. We’ve knocked on the doors. We’ve listened to the stories. Now it’s time to take those voices to Springfield.”
Roberson brings extensive experience in public service, community organizing, youth development, and violence prevention. She currently serves as Director of Constituent Services for U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02) and previously worked for the City of Champaign, where she helped lead community-based gun violence reduction initiatives.
Roberson resides in Danville with her three daughters and mother. She will be sworn into office on January 13, 2027.
