Illinois 12th District
Mike Bost (R) 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
Mike Bost
Republican · holds this seat today
ALiberty Score AOn the liberty side in 113 of 124 votes and bills.
Raised $1,617,353 since January 2025: 64% from PACs and other committees, 36% from people. The filing at FEC.gov
Julie Fortier
Democrat · research pathologist, Air Force veteran, first-time candidate
FLiberty Score F40 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Fortier has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Fortier.
Raised $161,511 since January 2025: 90% from people, 8% from PACs and other committees, 1% from the party. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Mike Bost. Mike Bost: A, 93 out of 100 from recorded votes. Julie Fortier: F, 40 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
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.
Julie Fortier, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Fortier, so the grade above comes from this list: what Fortier has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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In her WTTW Q&A she says the House should act so that the United States is again seen as a trusted ally.
“we need to make sure the United States is seen again not only as a trusted ally, but also as a reliable trading partner and market.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Wanting the US to be a trusted ally again, after pulling back from allies, rejects isolationism, with liberty on free nations.
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Her campaign site says she accepts no corporate PAC or AIPAC funding.
“Julie Fortier is not accepting corporate PAC or AIPAC funding; this campaign is powered by people like you.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Refusing a lobby's money says nothing about weapons, BDS or the war, so it does not settle the free nations test.
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In a radio interview she says anyone who intentionally puts out falsehoods or misinformation should face a monetary fine.
“if somebody literally or intentionally puts out falsehoods or misinformation, I think they should have a monetary fine.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A fine for speech called misinformation is a speech crime, the 'against' side of the free speech measure.
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In a radio interview she says taxes should be gathered from corporations as well as the ultra-rich.
“we need to make sure that there are taxes that are being gathered not only from the ultra-rich but from corporations as well.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Higher taxes on the rich and on corporations is against liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site says the country must move towards a universal care option for health care.
“our country must move towards a universal care option.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site says she will fight against policies like tariffs and forever wars that disrupt the market.
“fighting against policies like tariffs and forever wars that disrupt the market and spike costs for necessary items like fertilizer.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing tariffs is with liberty on free markets.
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In her WTTW candidate Q&A she says long-term residents who pass background checks and have paid taxes should be given a path to citizenship.
“Long-term residents who can pass background checks and have paid taxes should be given a clear path to citizenship.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A path to citizenship for those already here is against liberty on borders.
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.
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Illinois 12th District
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