Illinois 1st District
Jonathan Jackson (D) holds this seat and is running again. 2 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Jonathan Jackson
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 27 of 101 votes and bills.
Raised $539,051 since January 2025: 59% from people, 37% from PACs and other committees, 4% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Christian Maxwell
Republican · marketing strategist and small-business owner
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Maxwell has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Maxwell.
Raised $94,709 since January 2025: 100% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Christian Maxwell. Christian Maxwell: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Jonathan Jackson: F, 18 out of 100 from recorded votes.
Voting in Illinois: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Christian Maxwell, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Maxwell, so the grade above comes from this list: what Maxwell has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
In her survey answer she called the relationship with Israel important and said bolstering Israel benefits the United States, though it should never come before Americans
“Bolstering Israel, leveraging their intel and keeping a healthy relationship benefits the United States, but should never come before Americans”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as a partner worth bolstering, with no cut to its weapons, is with liberty on free nations.
-
In the survey she chose the view that the United States has become too involved in others' policies and should focus on its own sovereignty unless in imminent danger, and she strongly agreed that the Chinese Communist Party is a serious threat.
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A call for restraint with no word on Ukraine, Taiwan or NATO, next to naming China a threat, does not settle the measure.
-
In the primary voter guide she said government should hold AI platforms to rules so they do not suppress speech or embed political bias.
“ensuring these technologies do not interfere in elections, suppress speech, or embed ideological or political bias”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing the suppression of speech on platforms is the with side of the free speech measure.
-
In the survey she strongly disagreed that people who can afford to pay more taxes should do so to relieve working families, and strongly agreed that free enterprise and private property are essential.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting higher taxes on those who can pay more is with liberty on free markets.
-
In the primary voter guide she said she supports eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime pay.
“I support policies like eliminating federal taxes on tips and overtime pay.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting named federal taxes is with liberty on free markets.
-
In a candidate survey she strongly agreed that biological males should not take part in women's sports or use women's spaces such as bathrooms, locker rooms, shelters or prisons.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport and women's spaces female is with liberty on equal rights.
-
In the same survey she strongly agreed that attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing gender ideology for children is with liberty on equal rights.
-
In the same survey she strongly disagreed with the statement that she supports the existence of sanctuary cities.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting sanctuary policies is with liberty on borders.
-
In the primary voter guide she called for clear, efficient and humane pathways to citizenship for non-criminal people who follow the law, alongside respect for borders.
“creating clear, efficient, and humane pathways to citizenship for non-criminal individuals who contribute positively to our communities and are willing to follow the law”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Pathways to citizenship for non-criminal people, with no word on those here illegally, mix both sides, so the line does not settle the measure.
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
Say it where other readers can answer you. Opinions, videos and corrections about this race are all in one place.
Discussion
Illinois 1st District
Opinions, videos, corrections and bug reports about this race, all in one place. What readers post is their words, not mine. My answers carry the Host tag.
Leave out anything private about anyone. The rules, what your account keeps, and what readers have changed so far
Know this race better than I do?
Argue it with the hosts on a call. The community meets every day, and members help decide what goes on these pages.