Illinois 13th District
Nikki Budzinski (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
Nikki Budzinski
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 50 of 101 votes and bills.
Raised $3,654,996 since January 2025: 56% from people, 42% from PACs and other committees, 2% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Jeff Wilson
Republican · Navy veteran, retired nuclear engineer, Champaign County board member
BLiberty Score B86 out of 100 across 5 principles. Graded on what Wilson has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Wilson.
Raised $532,330 since January 2025: 64% the candidate’s own money, 35% from people, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Jeff Wilson. Jeff Wilson: B, 86 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Nikki Budzinski: F, 42 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.
Jeff Wilson, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Wilson, so the grade above comes from this list: what Wilson 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 a radio interview he said the regime in Iran must not have a nuclear weapon and called the current US military action against Iran an appropriate use of force.
“No way on God's green earth should the Iranian radical political Islamic regime have a nuclear weapon. Period.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American action to stop the regime's nuclear programme is the with side of the Iran regime measure.
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Asked about criticism that President Trump's push to take Greenland alienates NATO allies, he said it is not for him to judge the means and methods.
“so it's not for me to judge on means and methods.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Declining to judge the approach neither backs nor opposes NATO, so it does not settle the free nations test.
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In his WTTW Q&A he says he strongly advocates that the United States keep its position of global leadership.
“I strongly advocate for the United States to maintain its position of global leadership.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Wanting the US to keep leading abroad rejects isolationism, with liberty on free nations.
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Asked about health care in a radio interview, he said he is against universal health care.
“But universal health care, no way. I'm not for that at all. I think it's inappropriate.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting government health care for all is with liberty on free markets.
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Asked about the tariff system of the second Trump administration, he said it is an overall net positive for the country.
“it's an overall net positive for the United States.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Endorsing the broad tariff system is against liberty on free markets.
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In his WTTW candidate Q&A he names lowering tax rates across the board as his priority.
“My priority is to lower tax rates across the board.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
A tax cut with no tax named does not settle the free markets test.
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Asked about transgender athletes in a radio interview, he said males should not be in female sports.
“males should not be in female sports. That's my position.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Keeping women's sport female is with liberty on equal rights.
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In a radio interview he said he agrees with a strong military and that national security is also economic.
“I agree with a strong military, but it's also economic.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words name no budget or spending decision, so they do not settle the defense test.
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He said immigration enforcement agents should not be restricted in their mission and that he opposes the extra limits Democrats asked for.
“ICE should not be inhibited or restricted or frustrated in carrying out their mission, which is really to protect the United States with respect to immigration.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing ICE enforcement without new limits is with liberty on borders.
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In a radio interview he said federal money should not support people in the country illegally.
“Federal dollars should not be supporting illegal aliens.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Enforcing immigration law and denying public money to those here illegally is with 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 13th District
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