Who's running in Illinois's 15th congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Mary Miller currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Agriculture and farmland protection; she sponsored a bill to bar solar panels on productive farmland.
The America First agenda, which President Trump cited in endorsing her.
Cutting federal spending, as a member of the House Freedom Caucus.
Education policy, on which she sits on the House Education and Labor Committee.
Opposition to abortion.
Gun rights.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 15th District since January 2021; re-elected unopposed in 2024.
Member of the House Freedom Caucus; sits on the Agriculture Committee and the Education and Labor Committee.
Sponsor of H.R. 1080, the No Solar Panels on Fertile Farmland Act of 2025.
Runs a third-generation cattle and grain farm with her husband, former Illinois state representative Chris Miller.
Requested no community project funding for fiscal years 2022 through 2025, then requested $50,454,310 for fiscal year 2026.
Won the March 17, 2026 Republican primary against Judy Bowlby and Ryan Tebrugge.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed her re-election, calling her a champion of the America First agenda.
— President Donald Trump
Her campaign presents her as the district's farm voice in Washington — a working cattle and grain farmer on the House Agriculture Committee, legislating on farmland use.
— The Miller campaign
Arguments against
A Republican primary challenger said she shows a lack of focus and an absence on key issues, and pointed out that she requested no community project funding for the district for four straight fiscal years before requesting more than $50 million for 2026.
— Judy Bowlby, her 2026 Republican primary opponent
Days after she was first sworn in she told a rally outside the Capitol that "Hitler was right on one thing," and senior Illinois Republicans condemned the remark. She apologised for any harm and said critics were distorting what she said.
— Then-U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger and then-Illinois Republican Party chairman Tim Schneider, January 2021
What we couldn’t verify
The Hitler remark dates from January 2021 rather than this cycle; it is included because it drew condemnation from within her own party and remains the most widely reported criticism of her, but its vintage should be read alongside it.
The Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Judy Bowlby rather than Miller in the 2026 Republican primary; its reasoning was not located.
Her 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read.
Fair trade policy, wider agricultural market access and investment in sustainable farming.
Protecting crop insurance and strengthening rural infrastructure so family farms survive.
Affordability and local jobs.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Career as a nurse and small business owner.
Associate degree from Kaskaskia College; bachelor's degrees from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Won the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary against Paul Davis, Randy Raley and Kyle Nudo.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Todd by name could be found. Searched: her name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Mary Miller's campaign, and against Telegraph, St. Louis Public Radio and Daily Eastern News coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, no case for her is presented either, rather than showing her own campaign's case unanswered.
The Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Paul Davis rather than Todd in the Democratic primary; its reasoning was not located.
Her endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Illinois held its primary on March 17, 2026. Republican incumbent Mary Miller beat two primary challengers, Judy Bowlby and Ryan Tebrugge; Democrat Jennifer Todd beat Paul Davis, Randy Raley and Kyle Nudo. The district covers rural central and southern Illinois, from the Champaign-Urbana area west to Quincy and south toward the St. Louis suburbs, and is among the most Republican districts in the country. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and Telegraph and Daily Eastern News reporting. Criticism of Todd by name could not be found, so her entry carries no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Illinois ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Illinois State Board of Elections.