IL-09 Republican nominee?
$4.1K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePastor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
LocationIllinois
BackgroundPastor
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EducationChristian Life College
Notable personal detailsJohn D. Elleson is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District and previously won the district’s GOP primary in 2018. He is a pastor/minister associated with Lakewood Chapel in Arlington Heights, Illinois. In 2026 candidate materials, he listed Christian Life College as his education and reported no prior government office held.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes at federal, state, and local levels, favors tax relief for middle-class and homeowners, and advocates reigning in government spending and balancing the budget. Expresses support for a flat tax system where everyone pays the same percentage and opposes relying primarily on taxing the wealthy to address inequality.
Healthcare
Supports community-focused healthcare solutions that expand local clinics and affordability initiatives while opposing increased federal overreach. Emphasizes addressing mental health and addiction through local, practical programs. Advocates bipartisan, locally driven approaches rather than large federal expansions of healthcare programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and securing the border while backing comprehensive reform that includes expanded vetting, cracking down on visa overstays, and employer verification; emphasizes humane enforcement and bipartisan solutions. Has expressed support for measures like enhanced vetting of entrants and cautious consideration of physical border barriers.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal protection for human life beginning at conception, opposes public funding for abortion providers, and indicates abortion should be allowed only in cases of rape or incest.
Climate & Energy
Supports rolling back or avoiding aggressive Obama-era climate regulations and prioritizes protecting the economy and energy affordability while expressing interest in clean air and water. Views the Paris Agreement as unfair to the U.S. relative to countries like China and emphasizes energy self-sufficiency and minimizing regulatory harm to low-income communities.
Public Safety & Guns
John Elleson expresses opposition to more restrictive gun-control measures and frames himself as a conservative who emphasizes community safety and law enforcement. His campaign materials focus on community safety and related issues but do not detail support for specific expanded firearm restrictions.
News
John Elleson is running in the Republican primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, competing for the open seat held by retiring Democrat Jan Schakowsky. He is drawing attention for breaking with some GOP rivals on immigration by advocating for amnesty, while other candidates emphasize stricter border enforcement. The race is also highlighting immigration and accusations of gerrymandering as central campaign issues ahead of the March 17 primary.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising