The Ballot Brief
2026 U.S. House

Illinois's 16th Congressional District — 2026 Candidates

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U.S. House · IL-16
Primary: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 General: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

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2026 candidates we're tracking in IL-16

Darin LaHood

Darin LaHood

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Economy
  • Federal Spending
  • Agriculture
About Darin LaHood

LaHood, a third generation Peorian, spent more than nine years as a state and federal prosecutor, including as an assistant U.S. attorney in Las Vegas where he served as chief terrorism prosecutor, per the official House biography. He was first elected to Congress in a September 2015 special election and serves on the House Ways and Means Committee, per the official House biography.

Paul Nolley

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Save Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid
  • End Corruption & Pay-to-Play Politics
  • Preserve & Protect Family Farms
About Paul Nolley

Nolley describes himself as a citizen candidate who has worked paycheck to paycheck and understands the challenges facing families in Illinois' 16th District, per the campaign site.

About this race

Illinois's 16th Congressional District elects one member of the U.S. House of Representatives to a two-year term. Every House seat in the country is on the ballot in 2026. The Illinois primary is Tuesday, March 17, 2026, and the general election is Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Illinois primary details →  ·  Illinois voter guide →