Austin Mink

Austin Mink (independent) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on November 3, 2026.^[source]

Mink also ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 10th Congressional District. He will not appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2026.

Mink completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Austin Mink was born in Waukegan, Illinois. He graduated from Zion Benton Township High School and attended the College of Lake County. His career experience includes working as a filmmaker.^[1]

Elections

2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. Senate Illinois

Austin Mink, Tyrone Muhammad, and Anthony Smith are running in the general election for U.S. Senate Illinois on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Austin Mink (Independent)
	Submit photo	Tyrone Muhammad (Independent)
	Submit photo	Anthony Smith (Independent)

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Illinois on March 17, 2026.

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Dick Durbin (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Illinois on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Panagioti Bartzis
		Doug Bennett
		R. Cary Capparelli
		Casey Chlebek
		John Goodman
		Pamela Denise Long
	Submit photo	Januario Ortega
		Jimmy Lee Tillman II
	Submit photo	Don Tracy

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Austin Mink (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Incumbent Brad Schneider and Morgan Coghill are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10 on March 17, 2026.

		Candidate
		Brad Schneider
		Morgan Coghill

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2024

Illinois' 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Democratic primary)

Illinois' 10th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Incumbent Brad Schneider defeated Jim Carris and Joseph Severino in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 10 on November 5, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Brad Schneider (D)	59.9	196,358
	Jim Carris (R)	40.0	131,025
	Joseph Severino (Independent) (Write-in)	0.1	238

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 327,621
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Austin Mink (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Incumbent Brad Schneider advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brad Schneider	100.0	37,538

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 37,538
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Christopher Anderson (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Jim Carris advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Carris	100.0	19,771

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,771
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Mink in this election.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Austin Mink completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Mink's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Austin James Mink. I’m from Winthrop Harbor Illinois—a small town in Northern Chicagoland. I come from a working-class family, a family of union workers. I am a filmmaker. I’m not the traditional person who would run for US Senate, I come from a modest living not one of wealth, I come from a family that’s struggled, I lost my father when I was only twenty-two years old, who was a tough thing for us as it was all so sudden, I have dealt with a lot of loss in my life, my family has experienced a lot of loss and grief, it changes your perspective on life and I believe it’s made me so much more compassionate and understanding of everyone, it’s made me strive to want to reach out and help as many people as I can, that’s why I’m running for US Senate not for vanity but because of my desire to help others and my commitment to public service. I’m an outsider in this race but that only makes me more determined to get to work to introduce myself and to learn so much more about the state of Illinois, the state I’ve lived in and have loved for all 31 years of my life so far. I’m the youngest person in the race at 31, 33 at swearing-in if elected. I’d also be the first openly bisexual-pansexual US Senator from Illinois if elected which would mark a historic first for the state.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The most caring and compassionate. Would be the first to co-sponsor Medicare For All as a US Senator from Illinois. We need universal healthcare. We need compassionate reform. No half measures. No flirting on the edges of a broken system. The healthcare system in America is broken and it desperately needs transformative change and a leader that will fight tirelessly to bring about that change. I believe healthcare is a fundamental human right.
The candidate for anyone skeptical of the establishment. There’s a lot of money in this primary. I believe in ending the flow of dark money in our elections. I believe voters should decide not the oligarchy. I will fight tooth and nail against the oligarchy. I believe in a dynamic progressive wealth tax like in the OLIGARCH ACT that waxes and wanes with respect to where disparities lie. People don’t want another billionaire proxy in the US Senate. Illinois will need a fighter for the working class full stop. I will protect all Illinoisans from oligarchic greed and big money. I believe in fairness, transparency, and equality.
I am a left-libertarian. The candidate that appeals to all political landscapes in Illinois, I’m not just the candidate for democrats, I’m the candidate for independents, moderates, and anti-MAGA Republicans. I believe bipartisanship is important but you shouldn’t abandon your morals and values for the sake of bipartisanship, that’s the opposite of leadership to me. I plan to be a leader as a US Senator but just a follower. I’m not just going to be an empty suit. I plan to go to work to make a difference. We need to end mass warrantless surveillance. We need to repeal bad post-911 laws that have eroded civil liberties such as the PATRIOT ACT. Civil liberties need to be protected now more than ever. I’ll fight against authoritarianism.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am extremely passionate about being a legislator. I have many bills I’d like to introduce if elected, one being repealing the patriot act and Fisa which have eroded civil liberties, a bill enhancing digital privacy laws, and a bill restoring section 230 to its pre-2018 form with alternative trafficking methods to mitigate concerns. Bills ensuring we completely enforce the Leahy Law and that the US doesn’t support gross human rights violations abroad, I will co-sponsor and support an arms embargo against Israel which is using our military assistance for genocidal war crimes in the guise of combating Hamas, its collective punishment period and it must end. I plan to stand up for the rule of law both domestically and abroad.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I don't want to leave anyone out, there’s so many people I look up to, I don’t want to give a disservice to them so I’ll simply leave it at many.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Noam Chomsky, read and listen to anything he’s said or written, he has shaped my views a great deal as an influential left libertarian.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Empathy

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To protect the citizens of the United States of America.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Someone who’d always fight for what’s right. Someone that would never compromise to lead people willingly to their graves. Someone who was the real deal.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was about five when the tragic shooting of Columbine happened and was about seven when 9/11 happened, those are two pretty massive events that shook our nation at its core, both unbelievably tragic, though I don’t remember exact memories of those events such as where I was or doing, I’ve lived through a lot of history, not all of it bad but not all of it good either.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Personal assistant, was a temporary job position for a summer when I was 19 years old.

What is your favorite book? Why?

I can’t choose. It’s like asking what your favorite movie is; it has no answer, as answering such a question greatly minimizes the rich tapestry and history of literature and the arts.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

I don’t know off the top of my head so I took a personality quiz and got Jack Dawson from Titanic. Makes sense, I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Nothing comes to mind at this exact moments but I get songs stuck in my head all the time so one will come around at any moment, ask me on a specific date, it’s a case-by-case basis.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

A lot of struggles that many working people and families go through like worrying about putting food on the table, like many Illinoisans my family has relied on SNAP benefits to help afford food at the end of the day, I understand firsthand on broken our healthcare system is, the issue of lack of prescription affordability, I’ve experienced it, that’s what makes me so much more compassionate and empathic to all Illinoisans because I’m just one of you, I’ve been out the other side and I will protect the other side from people that have never been on that other side themselves.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Authoritarianism.

We’re seeing people introduce legislation to put people in prison for up to twenty years for engaging their First Amendment rights and using the most flimsy of allegations to do so, I’m seeing very slippery slopes, if not rectified we could be heading into a very scary and dangerous place, we need to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans now more than ever. We’re seeing attacks on free speech like never before to appease special interests, interests that aren’t of the interest of the American people, things that are the exact opposite of what’s in the interest of the American people, things that in reality are making us all less safe.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits. I will co sponsor the resolution to oppose term limits for Congress; six years (three terms) for the House and twelve years (two terms) for the Senate. That will increase productivity, I don’t believe Congress should be a lifetime appointment, I think it should be about serving your country, being as effective as possible to leave a mark then pass the torch.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Many. For one, the most important is confirming or denying nominees from the presidential cabinet, sub cabinet, to judicial nominations, that’s what gives the US Senate it’s edge is those additional responsibilities.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for senators to have previous experience in government or politics?

I believe anyone can be a legislator but it takes special talent to be good at it. It’s beneficial absolutely but I don’t believe it’s a requirement especially when there are so many barriers that keep ordinary people from getting into office which is something I hope to break. I believe it’s important to be an outsider, to stand up and say you won’t give up on the country and state you love that you’ll do everything day in and day out to help every Illinoisan from the metropolitan to the rural downstates, everyone should be represented, I believe it’ll take a outsider to win to do the right thing by everyone in this fantastic state of Illinois.

What do you think of the filibuster?

Abolish it.

Is there a particular senator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

I’m a pretty big fan of that Bernie Sanders fella. In all seriousness, no, I plan to be my own person in the US Senate, there’s been many great senators who’ve done incredible things but I plan to do my own thing, I don’t have one particular influence or model, I believe you should find your own way, bring your own uniqueness to the table.

Tell us your favorite joke.

What was the pirate arrested for? ARRRRRRson!

Where do polar bears keep their money? A snowbank.

Bears without Bees are just Ears.

Okay, I’ll show myself out.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

Examine if they’ll serve the American people above all else. That their loyality remains to the citizens of this great nation.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

Legislative relationships based on doing what’s right and what helps every American in this country, what will lift people out of poverty, what will make life less difficult, to ease burdens, to lower costs, to make the environment healthier to ensure the burden doesn’t fall on the future generation.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Should never compromise if it hurts anyone in this country. We should always fight for what’s right for this country, what keeps our communities safe, I won’t sell out the citizenry of this nation, I won’t abandon protecting the civil liberties of Americans, I won’t sell out the health of our environment, our children’s futures, some things are better with a balanced approach absolutely, but there are things we all agree should be fought for and protected without a ounce of compromise, to me, that’s what it means to be a true leader, what separates leaders from followers. Compromise in policymaking depends on what is being compromised for, it’s a case-by-case basis but on the big picture, no, I don’t think it’s overall favorable if it throws anyone under the bus and where we are as a country right now, we shouldn’t compromise on anything, these are times where we’ll need a fighter to stand up against ever-increasing authoritarianism and billionaires that want to cut programs people rely on to survive for a tax break to their friends in the 1%.

How should the U.S. Senate use its investigative powers?

To weed out corruption full stop all across the board. It’s that simple.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

None yet but we’re actively seeking endorsements from progressive groups and politicians.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

Do they serve the American people over special interests. Will they stand up to protect the constitutional rights of all Americans. Will they work to make the lives of the American people better or will they make it worse, do they have integrity or are they corrupt cronies.

What committees interest you?

I aim to be as effective as possible on whatever committees I’m assigned to if elected. Based on my expertise, for speculation only, I think I’d be most effective on the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. All of these are committees I believe I’d thrive in the most and the best fit for representing the interests of Illinois in the United States Senate.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

Better if there was more of both.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Austin Mink did not complete Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

2024

Austin Mink did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Austin Mink campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. House Illinois District 10	Withdrew general	$0	N/A**
2026*	U.S. Senate Illinois	Candidacy Declared general	$0	N/A**
2024*	U.S. House Illinois District 10	Withdrew general	$0	N/A**
Grand total			$0	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission *This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

External links

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Candidate

U.S. Senate Illinois

Personal

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 11, 2025

[show]

Illinois' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tammy Duckworth (D)

Dick Durbin (D)

Representatives

District 1

Jonathan Jackson (D)

District 2

Robin Kelly (D)

District 3

Delia Ramirez (D)

District 4

Jesus Garcia (D)

District 5

Mike Quigley (D)

District 6

Sean Casten (D)

District 7

Danny Davis (D)

District 8

Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)

District 9

Jan Schakowsky (D)

District 10

Brad Schneider (D)

District 11

Bill Foster (D)

District 12

Mike Bost (R)

District 13

Nikki Budzinski (D)

District 14

Lauren Underwood (D)

District 15

Mary Miller (R)

District 16

Darin LaHood (R)

District 17

Eric Sorensen (D)

Democratic Party (16)

Republican Party (3)

[1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 11, 2025

[1]

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Steve Botsford
	Submit photo	Awisi Bustos
	Submit photo	Jonathan Dean
		Adam Delgado
		Robin Kelly
		Raja Krishnamoorthi
		Stanley Leavell
	Submit photo	Bryan Maxwell
		Robert Palmer
	Submit photo	Adair Rodriquez
		Kevin Ryan
	Submit photo	Jump Shepherd
		Juliana Stratton

	v • e State of Illinois Springfield (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2025 \| How to vote \| How to run for office \| Ballot measures
Government	Who represents me? \| U.S. President \| U.S. Congress \| Federal courts \| State executives \| State legislature \| State and local courts \| Counties \| Cities \| School districts \| Public policy

Austin Mink

Biography

Elections

2026

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Illinois

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

Endorsements

2026

General election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Endorsements

2024

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 10

Endorsements

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

2024

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

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