Polling Average
15%10%5%0%
10%
8%
5%
IL-08 Democratic nominee?
$58.3K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age64 years old (Jan 22, 1962)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
LocationIllinois
BackgroundPolitician
EducationOakton College (A.A., 1982)
Notable personal detailsMelissa Luburich Bean is an American politician who represented Illinoiss 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. Before Congress, she served in the Illinois House of Representatives (199199) and worked in nonprofit advocacy and later in the private sector. In 2026, she ran for U.S. House in Illinoiss 8th district and won the Democratic primary.
SourcesShowHide
fec.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgchicago.suntimes.commelissabeanforcongress.comgovprofiles.comdupagecountycourt.orgdupagecircuitclerk.goveverything.explained.todaygiffords.orgshawlocal.comipaddress.comsupport.dupagecircuitclerk.govhistory.house.govdecisiondeskhq.comdupagecounty.govarxiv.orgdupage.legistar.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgcagw.orgrepbio.orgcongress.govnbcchicago.comupi.comvotesmart.orgontheissues.orglcv.orgdailyherald.comrollcall.comhozzl.comnypost.comstatic.votesmart.orgballotready.orgziplook.house.govgovinfo.govdocquery.fec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes for families and businesses and has voted for extending income-tax cuts and for business-oriented tax relief; has also supported measures to reduce government spending and limit earmarks. Positions reflect a pro-growth, pro-business approach to taxation while also voting for stimulus measures during the financial crisis.
Healthcare
Supports major expansions in access to coverage and voted to pass the 2009 health care reform legislation; favors measures to reduce costs and make it easier for small businesses and individuals to obtain insurance. Backed policies such as offering tax credits, patient protections, and options to expand Medicare eligibility.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Melissa Bean has said the nation is strengthened by legal immigration but has emphasized the need to secure the nation’s borders. Public records and interest-group ratings show mixed signals on immigration policy and do not present a clear endorsement of either an enforcement-first or an expansive regularization approach.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports a woman's right to choose as outlined in Roe v. Wade and has a pro-choice voting record; opposed measures to restrict abortion access and received high ratings from pro-choice groups.
Climate & Energy
Supports federal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand clean energy; voted for major climate legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act) and backed renewable energy measures while opposing drilling in Lake Michigan. Holds a pro-environment voting record and received high scores from environmental groups.
Public Safety & Guns
Melissa Bean has supported expanded gun-safety measures including background checks and renewing restrictions on certain semi-automatic firearms, and she voted against legislation to restore broader gun rights in the District of Columbia. Her historical voting record and responses on candidate questionnaires indicate support for strengthening enforcement of federal gun-purchase rules and safety measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Melissa Bean is in the news as one of the candidates in Illinois’s upcoming 2026 primary, which includes races for congressional seats and other higher offices. She is also among the Democratic contenders in the 8th Congressional District who appeared at a League of Women Voters forum focused on U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza, where candidates laid out differing approaches such as international law and a two-state solution. Details about her specific positions or campaign moves are limited in the provided reports.
fec.gov+35
Polls
IL-08 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.8M
$1.3M
$882.1K
$441.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.8M
$47.5K
$1.7M
$114.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements