Illinois 14th District
Lauren Underwood (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
Lauren Underwood
Democrat · holds this seat today
FLiberty Score FOn the liberty side in 35 of 122 votes and bills.
Raised $2,848,042 since January 2025: 74% from people, 16% from PACs and other committees, 10% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
James Marter
Republican · software consultant, Kendall County Republican chairman, 2024 nominee
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 6 principles. Graded on what Marter has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Marter.
Raised $214,272 since January 2025: 97% from people, 2% from the party, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: James Marter. James Marter: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Lauren Underwood: F, 26 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.
James Marter, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Marter, so the grade above comes from this list: what Marter 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 2022 release on his campaign site he opposed the nuclear deal with the Islamic Republic because it frees Iran from sanctions.
“The Iran deal gives a green light to terror and provides billions of dollars for Iran, while freeing up tens of billions, frozen by sanctions.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a deal that lifts sanctions on the Islamic Republic is the with side of the Iran regime measure.
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In his Shaw Local questionnaire he condemns Hamas and its attacks on Israel.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist organization Hamas and the heinous, evil, and barbaric acts of war against Israel and its people.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Standing against Hamas is with liberty on tyranny.
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In his Shaw Local questionnaire, asked about US intervention in Israel, he says he supports Israel as an ally.
“I support our ally, Israel.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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Asked about US intervention in Ukraine in his Shaw Local questionnaire, he says he supports President Trump's effort to end the conflict.
“On Ukraine I support President Trump's effort to end the conflict.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Ending the conflict names no aid and no side, so it does not settle the free nations test.
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His campaign site lists stopping censorship and protecting free speech among his priorities.
“we need to stop censorship, protect free speech, religious liberty and our other constitutional rights”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing censorship is the 'with' side of the free speech measure.
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In his Shaw Local questionnaire he proposes replacing the Affordable Care Act with free-market health care measures.
“Return to free market!”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting government-run health care for market rules is with liberty on free markets.
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In his Shaw Local questionnaire he says critical race theory and DEI funding must end across the federal government.
“we must defund Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in all areas of the federal government.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Ending DEI in the federal government is with liberty on equal rights.
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His campaign site says he supports a strong military and its veterans.
“I support a strong military and the brave men and women who serve.”
- 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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In his Shaw Local questionnaire he says the border should be closed to illegal entry.
“The border should be closed to illegals, secure from foreign criminal cartels, gangbangers, and human traffickers.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border is with liberty on borders.
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In the same questionnaire he lists no DACA and no amnesty among his immigration steps, with a wall and an end to sanctuary cities.
“no DACA and no amnesty”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Refusing amnesty and ending sanctuary cities 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 14th District
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