Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
18%
20.5%
13%
8%
Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
$560.1K
MAR 18, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
Age39 years old (Oct 4, 1986)
GenderFemale
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationUniversity of Michigan (nursing degree)
Notable personal detailsLauren Ashley Underwood is a U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 14th Congressional District, first sworn into Congress on January 3, 2019. She is a registered nurse and served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services before being elected to Congress. She is Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and serves on the House Committee on Appropriations. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University and resides in Naperville, Illinois.
SourcesShowHide
underwood.house.govclerk.house.govwikidata.orgen.wikipedia.orgunderwoodforcongress.comlinktr.eeapnews.cominspiringsocial.meleadershipnowproject.orgnews.wttw.comchicago.suntimes.compac.blackeconomicalliance.orglaurenunderwoodwriter.comtwstalker.comsignalhire.comidcrawl.comlcfb.orgfpactionnetwork.orgtime.comimmigrationforum.orgcongress.govbluegreenalliance.orgaxios.comjustfacts.votesmart.orggiffords.orgnewstatesman.comabcnews.go.comcbsnews.comlinkedin.comwashingtonpost.combusiness.linkedin.comstatic.politico.comhistory.house.goves.wikipedia.orgsubstack.govtrack.usdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgfr.wikipedia.orgcba.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgziplook.house.govdelauro.house.govcdn.ballotpedia.orgcommons.wikimedia.orgupload.wikimedia.orgfec.govgovinfo.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports expanding and extending tax credits to lower costs for families (notably enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits) and has voted for legislation that includes revenue-raising and deficit-reducing provisions tied to health and prescription drug costs. Advocates targeted federal investments (infrastructure, broadband, housing incentives) while pursuing tax-policy changes that aim to reduce out-of-pocket costs for households.
Healthcare
Supports strengthening and expanding the Affordable Care Act to lower premiums and expand coverage, and has authored legislation to make Marketplace coverage more affordable. Emphasizes preserving protections for people with pre-existing conditions and addressing maternal health and health equity. Does not advocate for Medicare for All and focuses on expanding access through targeted government programs and affordability measures.
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Immigration & Border
Supports comprehensive immigration reform including a pathway to citizenship, protections for Dreamers and other long-standing residents, and expanded legal pathways for workers while also backing federal funding and measures to secure the border and improve custody conditions. Has sponsored and supported legislation addressing medical screening and humanitarian protections for migrants and voted for bipartisan farm-worker visa modernization.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports unrestricted access to the full range of reproductive health services, including access to safe, legal, and affordable abortion and federal protections for abortion and contraception. Has cosponsored and voted for federal legislation to codify abortion rights and to preempt state restrictions on medication abortion and other limits on care.
Climate & Energy
Supports federal investments to address climate-driven public health risks and has voted for major climate and clean-energy related bills (including the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law). Advocates for clean-economy job growth and has accepted endorsements from labor‑environment groups that highlight her support for emissions‑reducing investments and resilience projects. Has introduced legislation linking climate impacts to health (Climate and Health Protection Act) to fund local preparedness and response.
Public Safety & Guns
Lauren Underwood supports universal background checks, has voted for and cosponsored federal background-check expansion legislation, and has cosponsored federal assault-weapons ban legislation. She has backed federal funding for gun violence research and supported measures to limit firearm access for people with domestic-violence or stalking-related legal actions.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Lauren Underwood is showing up in coverage tied to the busy run-up to the March 17, 2026 Illinois primary, which is expected to be unusually competitive amid a crowded field of candidates and heightened voter engagement. Recent reporting also highlights Illinois Democrats criticizing President Donald Trump’s strikes on Iran and calling for congressional limits on military action, a debate that is shaping the state’s political conversation as campaigns ramp up.
underwood.house.gov+45
Articles
TBThe Boston Herald3 months ago
Congress' record retirements create candidate frenzy in Illinois
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
A voter’s guide for the 2026 Illinois primary election
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
Illinois Democrats denounce Donald Trump's strikes against Iran
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers5 months ago
Labor, voting rights groups intervene in Illinois voter data lawsuit
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Neutral
Polls
Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$6.9M
$5.2M
$3.4M
$1.7M
$0
2022
2024
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2022
$6.9M
$787.1K
$6.6M
$276.7K
Cycle 2024
$4.2M
$1.1M
$3.9M
$162.1K
Cycle 2026
$2.0M
$1.3M
$1.7M
$112.7K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements