Experts say Dan Dernulc and Rick Niemeyer lost reelection due to endorsements and ads - Chicago Tribune

The redistricting vote was the number one issue driving Trump to support the challengers and the number one issue raised in the challengers’ campaigns against the incumbents, Bennion said. The incumbents’ conservative voting record didn’t win over messaging for the need of Republican Party loyalty, she said. “Ultimately, this one vote was framed as a loyalty test,” Bennion said. “The message that the incumbents did not sufficiently fight for the president, his America First agenda, and the future of the Republican Party really seemed to carry the day.”