The Ballot Brief
2026 U.S. House

Illinois's 4th Congressional District — 2026 Candidates

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U.S. House · IL-4
Primary: Tuesday, March 17, 2026 General: Tuesday, November 3, 2026

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2026 candidates we're tracking in IL-4

Patty Garcia

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Lower Costs. Higher Wages.
  • Defend Immigrant Families. No Exceptions.
  • Union Jobs, Not Corporate Giveaways
About Patty Garcia

Garcia holds a PhD in education policy from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and served as district director and chief of staff for the district's congressman, per the campaign site. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and has worked with immigrant and working-class families for more than 15 years, per the campaign site.

Lupe Castillo

Republican

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Stronger southern border
  • Preserve the Second Amendment
  • End out-of-control spending in Washington, DC
About Lupe Castillo

Lupe Castillo describes herself as a wife, mother, and conservative who has lived in Illinois's 4th Congressional District for 43 years, per the campaign site.

Ed Hershey

Working Class Party

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Advocating for public education and preventing funding cuts to schools
  • Championing workers' rights and supporting collective action
  • Supporting community struggles against injustice, including police brutality and preserving community resources
About Ed Hershey

Ed Hershey has taught science at Lindblom Math and Science Academy for about 18 years and has run repeatedly on the Working Class Party line, per the WTTW voter guide.

Chris Getty

Independent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

  • Cost of Living
  • Immigration & Public Safety
  • Government Accountability
About Chris Getty

Getty is a licensed insurance producer who serves as mayor of the Village of Lyons and previously as township supervisor, per the campaign site. He is an Eastern Illinois University graduate and lifelong Lyons resident, per the campaign site.

About this race

Illinois's 4th 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 →