James Marter
James Marter (Republican Party) (also known as Jim) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 14th Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. He advanced from the Republican primary on March 17, 2026.
Biography
James Marter lives in Bartonville, Illinois. He graduated from Limestone Community High School. Marter earned a B.S. in industrial management and a minor in computer science from Purdue University. He also received professional certification from the American Production and Inventory Control Society. Marter's career experience includes working as a business owner and entrepreneur.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2026
Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 17 Democratic primary)
Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2026 (March 17 Republican primary)
General election
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood and James Marter are running in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Lauren Underwood (D) | ||
| James Marter (R) | ||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 17, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood | |
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Roman Valenciano (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
James Marter defeated Gary Vician and Krystal Dorey in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 17, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | James Marter | 75.1 | 22,940 | |
Gary Vician ![]() | 24.9 | 7,623 | ||
| Krystal Dorey (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | ||
| Total votes: 30,563 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jed Davis (R)
Endorsements
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2024
See also: Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2024
Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Republican primary)
Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood defeated James Marter in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood (D) | 55.1 | 183,446 | |
| James Marter (R) | 44.9 | 149,464 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 19 | ||
| Total votes: 332,929 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood | 100.0 | 32,400 | |
| Total votes: 32,400 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
James Marter defeated Charlie Kim and Krystal Dorey in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 19, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | James Marter | 79.0 | 24,828 | |
Charlie Kim ![]() | 20.9 | 6,571 | ||
| Krystal Dorey (Write-in) | 0.0 | 14 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 14 | ||
| Total votes: 31,427 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Matthew Leiv (R)
- Jack Lombardi II (R)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Marter in this election.
Pledges
Marter signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2022
General election
General election for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood defeated Scott Gryder and Barry Wilson in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood (D) | 54.2 | 128,141 | |
Scott Gryder (R) ![]() | 45.8 | 108,451 | ||
Barry Wilson (Independent) (Write-in) ![]() | 0.0 | 8 | ||
| Total votes: 236,600 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood | 100.0 | 37,780 | |
| Total votes: 37,780 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Scott Gryder defeated James Marter, Mike Koolidge, Jack Lombardi II, and Jaime Milton in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Scott Gryder ![]() | 30.9 | 13,998 | |
| James Marter | 24.2 | 10,950 | ||
Mike Koolidge ![]() | 20.7 | 9,378 | ||
Jack Lombardi II ![]() | 14.1 | 6,372 | ||
Jaime Milton ![]() | 10.2 | 4,612 | ||
| Total votes: 45,310 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Susan Starrett (R)
2020
See also: Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2020
Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Republican primary)
Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood defeated Jim Oberweis and Joseph Monack in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood (D) | 50.7 | 203,209 | |
| Jim Oberweis (R) | 49.3 | 197,835 | ||
| Joseph Monack (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 8 | ||
| Total votes: 401,052 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
Incumbent Lauren Underwood advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lauren Underwood | 100.0 | 77,707 | |
| Total votes: 77,707 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14
The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 17, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Jim Oberweis | 25.6 | 13,333 | |
| Sue Rezin | 22.8 | 11,879 | ||
| Catalina Lauf | 20.1 | 10,451 | ||
| Ted Gradel | 13.4 | 6,979 | ||
| James Marter | 11.0 | 5,724 | ||
| Jerry Evans | 5.0 | 2,609 | ||
| Anthony Catella | 2.1 | 1,118 | ||
| Total votes: 52,093 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Danny Malouf (R)
- Matt Quigley (R)
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House Illinois District 16
Incumbent Adam Kinzinger defeated Sara Dady in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 16 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Adam Kinzinger (R) | 59.1 | 151,254 | |
| Sara Dady (D) | 40.9 | 104,569 | ||
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 2 | ||
| Total votes: 255,825 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 16
Sara Dady defeated Neill Mohammad, Amy Murri Briel, and Beth Vercolio-Osmund in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 16 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Sara Dady | 40.3 | 17,173 | |
| Neill Mohammad | 27.2 | 11,599 | ||
| Amy Murri Briel | 19.5 | 8,291 | ||
| Beth Vercolio-Osmund | 13.0 | 5,526 | ||
| Total votes: 42,589 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 16
Incumbent Adam Kinzinger defeated James Marter in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 16 on March 20, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Adam Kinzinger | 67.9 | 44,878 | |
| James Marter | 32.1 | 21,242 | ||
| Total votes: 66,120 | ||||
= 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. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jaye DeBates (R)
2016
The race for Illinois' U.S. Senate seat was one of nine competitive battleground races in 2016. U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D) defeated incumbent Mark Kirk (R)—who was seeking re-election to his second term—Kenton McMillen (L), and Scott Summers (G) in the general election on November 8, 2016.
In her victory speech, Duckworth said, “Tonight, we showed a campaign that respects voters and is focused on practical solutions rather than shopworn slogans can be successful. We showed that a relentless focus on rebuilding Illinois’ middle class and respecting hard worth rather than wealth can be successful, too.”[2]
During his concession speech, Kirk said, "What unites us as Americans is much stronger than what divides us." Kirk also invited Duckworth to have a beer with him as a peace offering. He said, “This beer summit with [sic] show kids across Illinois that opponents can peacfully [sic] bury the hatchet.”[2][3]
Kirk's seat was vulnerable in 2016 due to Illinois' tendency to vote overwhelmingly for Democrats during presidential election cycles. Kirk faced significant opposition from national Democrats who targeted Illinois as an essential seat needed to regain the majority in the U.S. Senate. Democrats picked up two seats in Election Day, but they fell short of the five seats that they needed to take control of the Senate.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | 54.9% | 3,012,940 | ||
| Republican | Mark Kirk Incumbent | 39.8% | 2,184,692 | |
| Libertarian | Kenton McMillen | 3.2% | 175,988 | |
| Green | Scott Summers | 2.1% | 117,619 | |
| N/A | Write-in | 0% | 639 | |
| Total Votes | 5,491,878 | |||
| Source: Illinois State Board of Elections | ||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
70.6% | 931,619 | ||
| James Marter | 29.4% | 388,571 | ||
| Total Votes | 1,320,190 | |||
| Source: Illinois State Board of Elections |
||||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
64.4% | 1,220,128 | ||
| Andrea Zopp | 24% | 455,729 | ||
| Napoleon Harris | 11.6% | 219,286 | ||
| Total Votes | 1,895,143 | |||
| Source: Illinois State Board of Elections |
||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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You can ask James Marter to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing info@Marter4Congress.US.
Campaign website
Marter's campaign website stated the following:
Cut Spending
In Congress, I will be relentless in my efforts to reduce the size and scope of the federal government. The out of control spending of our political class is robbing future generations of the American Dream. I will fight to end government waste, fraud, abuse and believe that government should live within a balanced budget, just like the working people who pay for it.
Grow Opportunity
I will work to proactively dismantle the policies that have robbed us of our energy independence, disadvantaged the American worker, raised inflation, lowered productivity, put small businesses at risk and suffocated innovation. The market needs less self-enriching politicians meddling in it and more everyday Americans prospering in it.
Protect Freedom
You have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Big government is a threat to all three. Officials who believe they can silence your speech, restrict your healthcare, close your houses of worship, pry into your finances, threaten your job and your ability to defend yourself, are not worthy to represent you or this great nation. I will restore liberty and protect your rights.
Improve Security
We need this within our borders, at our border and beyond our borders. Bad policies have created a humanitarian crisis for immigrants, a disaster for American workers and increased threats to our national security. There are risks to our health, the integrity of our elections, the safety of our neighborhoods and even terrorism. With widespread sex trafficking, drug smuggling, gang violence and opioid addiction, we need leaders with courage. I understand these issues, am supported by experts on them and in Congress I’ll work to secure the border, support law enforcement and protect American jobs and our way of life, from threats foreign and domestic.
Unite America
Anti-American “agents of change” are intentionally dividing us, with grave consequences. Schools are abandoning academics to push political activism, gender narratives and junk science, increasing hatred, depression and confusion in our youth. Political agendas are affecting everything from how our military protects us, what laws are selectively enforced and what medicines we have access to. We’re failing a generation by offering no alternative to embracing destructive ideologies that promise big but bring only hardship and despair. We need leaders who demand better and will promote American values and exceptionalism.
Issues at a glance
Economy:
- We need free market principles and smart trade policy. The government should not politicize industries, picking winners and threatening competition.
Election Integrity:
- America’s elections need dramatically better protection from foreign and domestic meddling, criminal activity and abuse.
Immigration:
- We need to enforce existing law, secure the border and end harmful practices putting us at risk.
Medical Tyranny:
- We need to stop the medical tyranny being promoted and in some instances forced upon us by government agendas that have nothing to do with science.
Energy:
- We need to return to energy independence which is crucial to national security.
Foreign Policy:
- Congress has a duty to put America first. We need people of integrity representing us, who can set aside their desire for political power and personal enrichment, and advance the interests and security of the United States of America.
Social Security:
- We need to protect Americans who rely on it but reform this program that will fail future generations.
Life:
- I am pro-life. We should not be funding Planned Parenthood and we should protect innocent children in the womb.
First Amendment:
- We need to stop censorship, protect free speech, religious liberty and our other Constitutional rights
Second Amendment:
- I firmly support your Second Amendment rights
Education:
- The federal government has failed with Common Core and the Department of Education. Its role in education must be reduced.
Healthcare:
- The Affordable Care Act gave us less choice and dramatically higher prices. We need to repeal it.
Taxes:
- Working people and families should pay less in taxes. It’s one way to unleash the economy.
Military:
- I support a strong military and the brave men and women who serve. We must honor, care for and improve the lives of our vets.
Terrorism:
- Those who promote terror are the enemies of freedom. They respect strength and are emboldened by weakness.
— James Marter's campaign website (February 25, 2026)
2024
James Marter did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Marter’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Priorities Grow Opportunity Protect Freedom Improve Security Unite America Send Jim to Congress! He'll represent YOU. Issues at a glance Economy: Election Integrity: Immigration: Medical Tyranny: Energy: Foreign Policy: Social Security: Life: First Amendment: Second Amendment: Education: Healthcare: Taxes: Military: Terrorism: |
” |
| —James Marter’s campaign website (2024)[6] | ||
2022
James Marter did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
James Marter did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Marter's campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
|
” |
| —James Marter's campaign website (2020)[7] | ||
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
- See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
James Marter participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on February 26, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and James Marter's responses follow below.[8]
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
| “ | 1) I will be relentless in the pursuit of cutting the size and scope of government, eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse from government and cutting government bureaucracy and agencies which are neither necessary at the federal level nor constitutional. 2) I won’t rest until we have repealed Obamacare, Or as I know it, the “Un-Affordable Care Act”. It is the biggest tax increase in American history and a government takeover of Healthcare. It is inexcusable the Republican led Congress, has not passed a complete Repeal and have it ready on the President’s desk on the day he was inaugurated on January 20, 2017. And even more inexcusable that they have done nothing in more than a year. Congressman Kinzinger thinks you can fix it. Well I’ll tell you, you can’t fix stupid (the PPACA). |
” |
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?
| “ | Marter did not provide a response to this question.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[5]
|
” |
2016
The following issues were listed on Marter's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.
| “ |
|
” |
| —James Marter's campaign website, http://www.marter4senate.us/sub/index.php/james/issues | ||
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Illinois District 14 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Marter for Congress, "Meet James," accessed February 26, 2024
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 WTTW.com, "Duckworth Defeats Kirk in Heated US Senate Race," accessed November 15, 2016
- ↑ CBS Chicago, "Tammy Duckworth Defeats Mark Kirk In U.S. Senate Race," accessed November 15, 2016
- ↑ Roll Call, "Democrats Could Face Primary Mess in Illinois Senate Race," January 23, 2015
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Marter for Congress, “Issues,” accessed February 26, 2024
- ↑ James Marter's campaign website, “Issues,” accessed March 6, 2020
- ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "James Marter's responses," February 26, 2018
= candidate completed the 

