Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
24.3%
17.0%
12.6%
8.1%
6.2%
Democrat
Sam Polan
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
$515.0K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Army veteran
PartyDemocratic
LocationIllinois
BackgroundU.S. Army veteran
EducationWashington College — B.A., Political Science
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Notable personal detailsSam Polan is a Democratic candidate who ran in the 2026 primary for U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. He is a U.S. Army veteran and has described serving for 10 years, including time in Special Operations, with multiple deployments to the Middle East. After his military service, he worked in national security policy roles, including as a senior policy and strategy advisor at the Pentagon to the Joint Staff and to the commander of NORAD and U.S. Northern Command. He has also been described as a Wilmette resident and was 36 years old during the 2026 primary cycle.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govchicago.suntimes.compatch.comsampolan.comcandidateranking.comballotready.orgaxios.comen.wikipedia.orgnews.wttw.comvote-usa.orgtherecordnorthshore.orgprospect.orgsamronan.comdailyherald.comaidschicago.orgru.wikipedia.orgilveteransforchange.orglinktr.eeshawlocal.comcbsnews.comcongress.govpolitico.comapnews.comfacebook.comevanstonnow.comblockclubchicago.orgnews.medill.northwestern.educhicagotribune.comdocquery.fec.govhistory.house.govgovinfo.govwikidata.orgchc.house.govsenate.govlynch.house.govwaysandmeans.house.govtorres.house.govradiotv.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
Supports universal access to healthcare while opposing a single‑payer model that would eliminate private insurance; favors building on and expanding the Affordable Care Act, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, strengthening home- and community-based services, lowering costs through oversight and price controls, and expanding mental‑health access and parity enforcement.
Immigration & Border
The candidate has criticized ICE actions in at least one campaign statement, calling for transparent investigations and accountability following an ICE shooting. Other campaign communications note that instability abroad (e.g., Venezuela) can drive migration and stress the need for diplomatic and humanitarian strategies, but the campaign does not appear to present a detailed platform on asylum, border enforcement, or pathways to legal status.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restoring federal protections for reproductive rights and codifying the right to abortion in federal law. Describes abortion as healthcare and says decisions about abortion belong between patients and doctors, not politicians.
Climate & Energy
Supports practical, data-driven climate solutions that invest in clean energy, modernize the electric grid, create good-paying jobs, and protect communities while avoiding policies that unduly punish working families. Emphasizes investment in clean energy and grid modernization as part of a broader policy platform. (Position expressed in campaign materials and candidate profiles.)
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate is a gun owner and supports the Second Amendment while endorsing stronger gun safety measures, including background checks, closing loopholes, enforcing red-flag laws, and restricting access to weapons designed for war. The candidate frames these policies as compatible with protecting public safety and constitutional rights.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Sam Polan is in the news as one of the many Democrats running in the crowded primary for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, a race to succeed retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The campaign has centered on affordability issues like health care and housing, along with debates over outside money and broader national topics such as immigration and health care. The primary election is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
fec.gov+37
Articles
CTChicago Tribune5 months ago
Big money, national issues fuel Illinois 9th district Dem primary
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune6 months ago
Illinois 9th District race tests long Jewish legacy
Neutral
SLShaw Local Enewspapers5 months ago
Most Democrats in 9th Congressional race cite affordability as top issue
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune6 months ago
Consider all demographic groups when voting
Neutral
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$377.4K
$283.1K
$188.7K
$94.4K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$377.4K
$0.00
$377.4K
$19.9K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements