Eric Carlson

Eric Carlson (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 1st Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Carlson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Eric Carlson served in the United States Army from 1986 to 1991. He earned a degree from Lincoln Trail College in 2000. Carlson's career experience includes working as a nonprofit program director.^[1]

Elections

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Jonathan Jackson defeated Eric Carlson, Tori Nicholson, and Babette Peyton in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jonathan Jackson (D)	67.0	159,142
		Eric Carlson (R)	33.0	78,258
	Submit photo	Tori Nicholson (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	13
		Babette Peyton (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	12

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 237,425
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Mitchel Davilo (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jonathan Jackson	28.2	21,607
		Pat Dowell	19.0	14,594
		Karin Norington-Reaves	14.1	10,825
		Jacqueline Collins	12.1	9,299
		Chris Butler	5.4	4,141
		Jahmal Cole	5.3	4,045
		Jonathan Swain	3.3	2,554
		Michael Thompson	2.2	1,680
	Submit photo	Charise Williams	2.1	1,601
		Cassandra Goodrum	1.9	1,422
		Marcus Lewis	1.2	901
		Robert Palmer	1.2	899
	Submit photo	Nykea Pippion McGriff	1.2	892
		Terre Layng Rosner	1.0	780
	Submit photo	Ameena Nuur Matthews	0.9	686
		Kirby Birgans	0.7	511
		Steven DeJoie	0.3	251

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 76,688
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Eric Carlson defeated Jeff Regnier, Geno Young, and Philanise White in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Eric Carlson	40.5	10,755
		Jeff Regnier	39.0	10,375
	Submit photo	Geno Young	14.5	3,853
		Philanise White	6.0	1,598

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 26,581
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Matthew O'Keefe (R)

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Eric Carlson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Carlson's responses.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a veteran who loves this country and wishes prosperity and a better life for all Americans. I am a problem solver who thrives on helping others and wish to do so for the people of the 1st District. Using common sense, logic, and reason is how we will tackle the issues to make life better for all residents of the district, and better the country in the process.

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?

Reduce crime and gun violence through job creating policies including reducing corporate taxes.
School choice and vouchers for better education and remove teacher unions from control of policy. Allow control by the parents of their children's future.
Energy independence will lower the cost of everything people use in their daily lives and lead to financial security.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, employment, and cost of living. These are the key issues that affect everyone on a daily basis. When these issues are properly addressed it betters the lives of everyone in the community.

Foreign policy and the military. We live in a dangerous world, and if we lose focus of the threats facing us, we risk serious damage to our way of life.

Congressional reform specifically, and Federal government reform across the board.

Divisiveness propagated by a biased media, big tech, and fearmongering politicians. Left on their own, the American people get along and work together.

Immigration must be controlled as illegal migrants hurts all Americans including legal immigrants.

A better life and equal opportunity for all Americans.

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

Many historical figures come to mind, but in this realm, I would have to say Abraham Lincoln, his ability to stay the course while being attacked from all sides and still able to save a nation.

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

Honesty, integrity, keeping your constituents informed, and getting constant input and feedback from those constituents. Speak in everyday language so everyone is on the same page.

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

Leadership, blunt honesty, straight talk, intelligence, common sense, logic, and reason.

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

I remember watching the evacuation of Saigon on TV in 1975 at my aunt and uncle's house, he was a Marine Corps Veteran who served in Vietnam.

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

I began working in my father's clothing store at the age of 7 until 18 when I left for the U.S. Army. Yes, you read that right, 7 years old. My job was to vacuum, take out the garbage, scrub the washroom, before learning to sell clothes at the age of 15.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Books on American history, especially first-person accounts. To see historic events and times through an intimate and personal lense gives greater perspective and it would serve people well to look at past events from the point of view of those who lived them.

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

The history of the individual men and women who made a true impact as well as the history of the body as a whole. It is a shame and an embarrassment to see the depths that many current members have sunk to in order to divide the American people for their own gain.

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

No, everyone has life experience that they can bring to the House, and again, I will take someone with common sense, reason, and logic over a career politician.

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

China. On so many levels the Chinese Communist Party is a danger to our very way of life and for the rest of the world.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

There are many that I would like to serve on that I feel I could make an impact by being a part of, those would be:

1) Education and Labor
2) Transportation and Infrastructure
3) Veterans’ Affairs
4) Armed Services
5) Foreign Affairs

6) Oversight and Reform

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, this gives the people the ability to clean house, when necessary, but I would shorten and limit the times for campaigns so that representatives can focus on their job and not reelection for more than half their term.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits are high on my list of things to enact. Congress was never envisioned by the founders as a lifelong career. New ideas and views should be welcomed to avoid the current atrophy we have in Washington D.C.

I would propose a 12-year total limit for any single person. That could be 12 years in the House or Senate, or 6 and 6. I believe that the people would be better served by advancing local and state politicians with a proven record to the Senate if you wish to have a two term Senator.

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

I am my own man; I don't feel the need to model myself after anyone.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

As I have just begun my campaign, I have not had the opportunity to meet people to discuss their personal stories yet, but I will be hitting the pavement as soon as all of the administrative work is complete.

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

It is desirable, but not necessary if one side refuses to use logic, reason, and common sense.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

The United States is $30 billion in debt, until Congress learns to live within their means, no further burdens should be placed on the American people or American businesses.

Historically the four major tax cuts under Kennedy, Reagan, G.W. Bush, and Trump lead to increased tax revenue, employment, and security. In other words, raise more money by allowing people and businesses to MAKE more money.

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.

Campaign website

Carlson's campaign website stated the following:

“

Crime - Gun Violence

Defeat Crime at the Source

1) Create Good Paying Jobs
2) Raise the Standard of Living in High Crime Areas
3) Stop Excusing Criminal Behavior
4) Support Law Enforcement
5) Hold Prosecutors Liable Federally

Cost of Living

Fuel Prices Affect Everything

1) Get Back to Energy Independence
2) Everything you buy in Transported
3) Cut Inflation by Limiting Spending and Money Printing by the Fed
4) Increase Income by Limiting Legal Immigration
5) Secure the Southern Border from Illegal Migrants

Communist Chinese Threat

America's True Existential Crisis

1) Cancel U.S. Debt to China
2) Expel Chinese Nationals
3) Ban American Businesses from China
4) Counter Hyper-Sonic Missiles
5) Build Strong Counter Alliances
6) Harden our Electrical Grid
7) Bring all Manufacturing Back the North America

Russian Expansion

Putin Wants an Empire

1) Economic Sanctions
2) Close Nord Stream 2 Pipeline
3) Show Undeniable Strength and Military Resolve
4) Be prepared to Fight and Win
5) NATO Must Stand United
6) Be Prepared for Cyber and other Attacks on the U.S.
7) Back Ukraine

Criminal Justice Reform

Truly Equal Justice Under the Law

Eric Carlson is truly passionate about this issue, as it is one that impacts so many people in the 1st District.
1) DOJ Investigations of 1st District Courts
2) DOJ Investigations of State's Attorney's Offices
3) Improved & Extensive Police Training and increased budgets
4) Civilian Auxiliary Police to augment Police Departments and improve Police-Citizen interaction
5) End the Wrongful Convictions in which Cook County Leads the Nation

Education

Children and Parents First - Not Teachers Unions

1) School Choice and Vouchers for All Students
2) Bring A.C.E. - Architecture, Construction, and Engineering High Schools on the Southside
3) Dismantle Teachers Unions
4) School Boards Answer to Parents
5) No Federal Interference with Local Matters
6) Ban Critical Race Theory in Schools
7) Revamp Basic Curriculum at the National Level
8) Teach Marketable Skills!

Immigration

Stop Breaking Our Laws!

1) Secure the Southern Border
2) Partner with Mexico to fix the Issue
3) Six Months for All Illegals to Sell their Property and remove themselves from the U.S.
4) Immediate Deportation after Six Months
5) Government Officials to be held Criminally Liable for Breaking Immigration Law

The Environment

Stop the Fearmongering

1) Historically the Climate Always Changes
2) Follow the Money - Beware Profiteers
3) Continue the Carbon Emissions Decrease from the Trump Administration
4) Expand Nuclear and Natural Gas Usage as we develop new Clean Technologies

Taxes

Lower Taxes Increase Revenues!

1) Lower Corporate Taxes
2) Lower / Flat Income Tax
3) Simplify Tax Codes
4) Reduce the Number of IRS Agents

Health Care

Stop Fed Micro-Management

1) Keep the Federal Government Out
2)Let the Market and Competition set Prices
3) State Programs of Pro Bono Care by Licensed Healthcare Providers^[2]

”

—Eric Carlson's campaign website (2022)^[3]

External links

Search Google News for this topic

Candidate

U.S. House Illinois District 1

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 17, 2022
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Carlson 4 America, “The Issues,” accessed August 11, 2022

[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)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on January 17, 2022

[quotedisclaimer-2] Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

[3] Carlson 4 America, “The Issues,” accessed August 11, 2022

[1]

[2]

[3]

	v • e State of Illinois Springfield (capital)
Elections	What's on my ballot? \| Elections in 2026 \| 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

Eric Carlson

Contents

Biography

Elections

2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign website

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2026 Elections

2025 Elections

Election analysis

Trending

Public Policy

Information for candidates

Get Engaged

Services

Additional analysis

SITE NAVIGATION