Saba Haider Wins Illinois 84th District Seat
Residents of the 84th District elected Haider, whose campaign prioritized affordable healthcare and education.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Organic Food
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Saba Haider won a seat in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 84th District on November 5, 2026, with approximately 71% of the vote. She defeated Republican Brian Scopa, who received approximately 29%.
Why it matters
The result changes the composition of the Illinois House for voters in the 84th District, where Haider's campaign centered on affordable healthcare, education, and the rising cost of living. Her background includes chairing the DuPage County Board's environmental and strategic planning committees, which signals an existing record on local planning and environmental issues.
The result is a single-district general election outcome with a reported vote split of roughly 71% to 29%. Haider's prior electoral history includes a narrow 2022 loss by about 1,000 votes and a larger 2024 win by 8,521 votes over Patty Gustin.
The players
Saba Haider
Illinois state representative-elect and former DuPage County Board member who chaired the board's environmental and strategic planning committees.
Brian Scopa
Republican candidate who lost the 84th District Illinois House race to Haider.
Patty Gustin
Republican incumbent on the DuPage County Board whom Haider defeated in 2024.
The details
Haider's campaign focused on affordable healthcare, education, and easing rising living costs, the issues she emphasized to voters in the 84th District. She previously chaired the DuPage County Board's environmental and strategic planning committees, giving her prior experience in local policy governance. Her education includes a wildlife science degree from Aligarh Muslim University, where she received a gold medal in the field.
Timeline
2006: Haider married Ali Kazmi.
2007: Haider moved to the United States.
2022: Haider lost the DuPage County Board election by approximately 1,000 votes.
2024: Haider defeated Republican incumbent Patty Gustin by 8,521 votes for a DuPage County Board seat.
November 5, 2026: Haider won the Illinois House seat for the 84th District.
Health Landscape
Affordable healthcare and the cost of living, two issues Haider campaigned on, are central to current state policy debates in Illinois. Her county-level background in environmental and strategic planning adds a land-use and resource perspective to that debate.
Residents of the 84th District now have a state representative whose campaign focused on affordable healthcare and education. Worth raising with your own physician or local officials if coverage costs or access are concerns in your household.
The takeaway
Haider's election places a legislator with county-level environmental and planning experience into the Illinois House. Residents interested in state health coverage decisions can track committee assignments once the new session begins.
Further reading
For broader context on food and drink policy in the state, explore Organic Food coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of India.
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