Illinois 8th District
Raja Krishnamoorthi (D) gave up the seat to run for U. 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
Melissa Bean
Democrat · former three-term congresswoman, business executive
CLiberty Score C76 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Bean has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Bean.
Raised $2,457,207 since January 2025: 66% from people, 19% from PACs and other committees, 13% the candidate’s own money. The filing at FEC.gov
Jennifer Davis
Republican · tech company co-founder, author, first-time candidate
No gradeNo grade yetI have no votes in Congress to count for Davis, and what Davis has said and done settles only 3 of my principles. I went through it on October 28. A grade needs 4.
Raised $1,782,175 since January 2025: 56% the candidate’s own money, 43% from people, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
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.
Melissa Bean, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Bean, so the grade above comes from this list: what Bean 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 the House on 24 June 2010 she voted for the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act, which passed 408 to 8.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Voting for tougher sanctions on the regime in Tehran is the with side of this measure.
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In the House on 3 November 2009 she voted for the resolution calling on the President to oppose any endorsement of the UN Goldstone report on the Gaza war.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Israel against a UN report on its conduct of the war treats Israel as an ally, the with side of this measure.
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In the Sun-Times questionnaire she says US policy on Taiwan rests on deterrence and stability, and that pressure on China works best when the US acts with allies such as Europe, Japan and South Korea.
“U.S. policy has long rested on deterrence, stability and the prevention of unilateral changes to the status quo.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing deterrence over Taiwan and acting with allies is the with side of this measure.
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In the Sun-Times questionnaire she says broad, untargeted tariffs work as a tax on US consumers and manufacturers.
“Broad, untargeted tariffs function as a tax on U.S. consumers and manufacturers, driving up prices while failing to meaningfully change China's behavior”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the with side of this measure.
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In her written answer on taxes she says the wealthiest should pay their fair share and the tax code should be pro-growth, without naming a tax to raise or cut.
“We should broaden the tax base and close loopholes that only the folks with the best lawyers can use.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
No tax rate is named to raise or cut, so the words do not settle a side.
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In the House on 14 September 2006 she voted for the Secure Fence Act.
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Voting for a barrier on the border is the with side of this measure.
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In the House on 8 December 2010 she voted yes on the House motion that carried the DREAM Act, which her campaign site says she voted for.
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Voting for a path to legal status for people here illegally is the against side of this measure.
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In her written answer on immigration she says ICE should not be given further funding until a list of reforms is enacted.
“Until these reforms are made, ICE should not be given further funding.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Withholding funding from ICE is the against side of this measure.
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Her campaign site promises to support comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship.
“support comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
A pathway to citizenship for people here illegally is the against side of this measure.
Jennifer Davis, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Davis, so the grade above comes from this list: what Davis 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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She names the Islamic Republic, with China and Russia, as one of the greatest foreign adversaries, without naming a policy on the Islamic Republic.
“China, Iran, and Russia are our greatest foreign adversaries, and they've taken advantage of the United States for far too long”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
Calling the Islamic Republic an adversary names no sanction, deal or strike, so it does not settle a side.
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In the Sun-Times questionnaire she says the administration's stance deterring aggression toward Taiwan is right and that she would deepen alliances to counter China, Russia and the Islamic Republic.
“His clear, firm stance deterring aggression toward Taiwan is exactly right for keeping America secure.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing Taiwan against Beijing and building alliances is the with side of this measure.
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In the Sun-Times questionnaire her first step for the economy is to cut federal spending and regulations, and her second is to lower taxes on families and small businesses.
“immediately slash wasteful federal spending and unnecessary regulations that drive up costs”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Cutting regulation and taxes is the with side of this measure.
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In her written answer on taxes she says she would cut taxes across the board.
“My approach to tax policy is simple: cut taxes across the board to unleash economic growth.”
- 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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In her written answer on health care she calls for market-driven reforms, including health savings accounts and fewer regulations, rather than more government mandates.
“My top priority is empowering patients and providers with choices, not more government mandates, to make quality care affordable.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Choosing market reform over government mandates in health care is the with side of this measure.
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Asked about Operation Midway Blitz, the federal immigration enforcement campaign in Chicago, she says she supports law-and-order efforts and faults the governor and mayor for rejecting federal help to remove criminal illegal immigrants.
“it's disappointing that leaders like Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson have rejected federal help to remove threats of criminal illegals from our streets and help solve our crime issues in our state”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing federal removal of criminal illegal immigrants and criticising sanctuary-style resistance is the with side of this measure.
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In her written answer on immigration she says reform begins with fully securing the border.
“Real reform begins with securing the border - fully and effectively.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Securing the border first is the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign site says she will work to deport criminal aliens.
“Jennifer will also work to deport criminal aliens, depoliticize the process, and restore a system that is strong, safe, and just.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Deporting those who break the law is the with side of this measure.
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She says she is open to targeted, earned pathways for people who have been here many years, but only as part of a package that puts security first; she does not say citizenship.
“I'm open to targeted, earned pathways for law-abiding individuals who've been here many years, work hard, pay taxes, raise families, and have clean records.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Not clear either way
The words do not say whether the pathway ends in citizenship, so they do not settle a side.
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 8th District
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