Lupe Castillo

Lupe Castillo (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 4th Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Castillo also ran for election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent District 23. She was disqualified from the Republican primary scheduled on March 19, 2024.

Castillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Lupe Castillo was born in San Antonio, Texas. She earned an associate degree from Washburne Community Trade School in 2000. Her career experience includes working as a chef and in the pharmacy industry. She has been affiliated with Southwest Side GOP, Chicago GOP, and Little Village Community Council.^[1]

Elections

2024

U.S. House

Illinois' 4th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 4

Incumbent Jesus Garcia defeated Lupe Castillo, Ed Hershey, and Alicia Martinez in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 4 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jesus Garcia (D)	67.5	139,343
		Lupe Castillo (R)	27.3	56,323
		Ed Hershey (Working Class Party)	5.2	10,704
	Submit photo	Alicia Martinez (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	26

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 206,396
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 4

Incumbent Jesus Garcia defeated Raymond Lopez in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 4 on March 19, 2024.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Jesus Garcia	69.6	30,443
	Raymond Lopez	30.4	13,286

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 43,729
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Castillo in this election.

State House

General election

General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Incumbent Edgar Gonzalez Jr. won election in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 23 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D)	100.0	13,674

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 13,674
= 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 Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Incumbent Edgar Gonzalez Jr. defeated Joseph Mercado in the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 23 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Edgar Gonzalez Jr.	79.6	3,191
	Submit photo	Joseph Mercado	20.4	819

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,010
= 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

No Republican candidates ran in the primary.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Lupe Castillo (R)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Castillo in this election.

2022

General election

General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Incumbent Edgar Gonzalez Jr. defeated Lupe Castillo in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 23 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Edgar Gonzalez Jr. (D)	82.0	7,832
	Lupe Castillo (R)	18.0	1,719

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,551
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Incumbent Edgar Gonzalez Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 23 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Edgar Gonzalez Jr.	100.0	2,884

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 2,884
= 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.

Campaign themes

2024

U.S. House

Ballotpedia survey responses

Lupe Castillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Castillo'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.

I am an American born citizen second generation. I am an only child born to a single female American born as a product of rape. I speak both English and Spanish, though Spanish was my first language, English is my primary.

I've worked since I was able to, My first job was a newspaper route, I actually had three, morning and afternoon routes. I attended public school until I got to high school at which point I went to a Catholic school. I went to work to help pay for my tuition for 4 years. I worked in the food industry, I worked in retail industry, and I ended up in pharmacy. I have been a member of the CAPS ( Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy) and a member of the DAC (District Advisory Committee) of the 10th district Chicago Police Department.

I have been living in my neighborhood for 40 years, I've been involved with my block, I've been involved with the Aldermans office and now I'm running for office.

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?

Borders, we need to control our borders, they've been effective for over 200 years and the Biden administration has broken it. We need to strengthen our border security and our immigration process. We need to reform our process for asylum seekers as there are many people coming across with bad and ill intentions.
Energy independence, we need to get our energy independence back to its fullest capacity. There is no reason why we should be buying fuel from any country when we have more than enough within our borders.
Safety. Our law enforcement is in need of our support. They cannot perform their job without funding or verbal and moral support. The Democrats want to take our right to feel secure within our own neighborhoods. If our police departments cannot take care of us and protect us, then we have a right to defend ourselves and they want to take that right away from us as well.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Foreign policies and wars, we must support those that have been attacked for no sensible reason. NATO needs to do their part in supporting Ukraine. We must not be the sole support for Ukraine.

Israel should be allowed to protect themselves they were attacked for no reason, just for the fact they are Israel.

As for Palestine we should send them food and medical supplies for the people. Unfortunately, Hamas is hiding within these people.

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

My grandfather, I miss him dearly. He taught me to help others, he taught me to do things on my own. He told me not to be afraid to do things, especially when I was afraid, I needed to learn, so I could to take care of my mother.

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

Israel Disarmed

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

Honesty and integrity, one must not be afraid to speak the truth even though it sometimes hurts to face it yourself.

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

I am of strong will, I make my own decisions. I lived through many happenings in my life, floodings tornadoes. My house was burnt my family died in a fire; I still had to survive. I struggled like I've seen a lot of people in my district struggle and those are the ones I want to fight for.

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

They must connect with people in their in their district, they must see what is needed. They must speak with the people and ask them what would benefit them the most.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I did what I could for the people that mattered the most, those that are in the lower class. And it doesn't matter what skin color they have.

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

The assassination John F Kennedy, I was 2 1/2.

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

I was in newspaper girl, I did that for about three years until i went to high school. I had three different routes morning and afternoons.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Charlett's Web. Because we need to learn from the animals in the world, they get along sometimes better than we do.

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

The little robot in the movie Wally. He Persevered regardless of the obstacles ahead of him.

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

I can't really say there are too many songs that I like to listen to but I do like to hear Suavecito by Malo.

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

The fact that people call me a racist, even though I'm American. I've been told that I'm too Americanized I should be more Mexican which I don't understand what that means. I try to explain that there can't be any more for me, I was born in America, I was raised in America what do they want.

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

They are the ones that introduce the laws, they can dictate and impeach officials including the President. The legislative is the one that enforces the laws.

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

No. The average everyday citizen has more experience, than those that are in office for life. That is why we need term limits.

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

Restoring our place in the world. We are the laughingstock right now as our President has no backbone. If we let the Democrats take control for 4 more years, there will no longer be an America.

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

Yes, they should have plenty of time to do what they need to do, if they do a good job, they get two more years.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I agree that there should be term limits no politician should get rich on the backs of the taxpayers. We have officials that were young when they first went into office, and now they're old and still want to keep going just to keep the money in their pockets.

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

I'm sorry to say I don't really know too many representatives, as I live in Illinois and I've yet to see one that impressed me.

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?

Speaking with the people in my district I am ashamed to the fact that there are so many people that have been living here for years and cannot vote because they are not citizens. When I ask them why they have not become citizens they say it's too expensive, there's too long of a list and they just don't understand the language in English. They are very unhappy at the fact that there are immigrants coming across right now and getting everything, free housing and medical care including the right to vote. These people I have spoken with, and there are many of them that say the same thing, Express how unhappy they are to have been thrown on the back burner again. The Democrats have mentioned many times that they will give them amnesty for the time that they've spent here the time that they've worked here and yet they still don't do it.

Tell us your favorite joke.

I think I'll leave this one alone, I wouldn't want to offend anybody. I grew up in an era where people could make fun of themselves and not be offended by anyone else making fun of them.

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

There definitely needs to be compromise we just need to be aware of what their compromises are. There is too much piggy backing on certain policies that we need to pass for the betterment of our country.

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?

I want to ensure that the money goes to those that really need it, and not being spent frivolously. Let's bring manufacturing back, let's bring jobs back, that way our people can input into the system to strengthen our tax base. Help lower taxes by putting more people to work. Hispanic People are predominantly hard workers, don't ask for much just a place to live happily. If they want something, they will work for it, not expect someone to just give it to them.

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

Very carefully, they must look at everything with an open mind and honestly, they should not be influenced by those who want to destroy someone just because they don't like them. We all have differences of opinion, and we must be able to express them, talk about them and come to an understanding. They need to look at everything and not make stuff up.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Chicago GOP, Southwest Side GOP, Downers Grove Township Republican Organizacion.

What committees interest you?

Interest can be enough I'm not sure, but I think finance would be one of them as I hate to see what they are doing with our money. Next would be foreign affairs, we need to strengthen our stand in this world militarily, as I feel there are countries out there that are willing to work together to take over our country, because they live in a socialist society

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

If you are taking money from the taxpayers you must show where it came from and what you intend to do with them. Government spends so much money they take from a particular fund put it into a general fund then they can spend it on what whatever they want to. For example, Medicare and Medicaid, The American worker has paid into their Medicare for the years and years that they worked, now the government says there is not enough money in Medicare for everyone. That is because they've taken the money out of Medicare and put it into the Medicaid program and given it to anyone and everyone that's been asking for it, most of that money is now gone.

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

Castillo’s campaign website stated the following:

“

When I get to D.C. I promise you I will spend long hours and work with fellow Republicans to fix our horribly broken immigration process; our lack of border security, and properly distribute Custom & Border Patrol funds that are currently being used to process questionable asylum seekers, make sandwiches and fly illegal immigrants in and around the United States.

NO MORE TAXES on Social Security Benefits
NO MORE TAXES on Tips
NO MORE TAXES on any Overtime Work Beyond 40 Hours a Week
NO MORE Catch & Release
NO MORE Sanctuary Cities
FINISH Building the Wall
ALLOW for School Choice
RE-ESTABLISH our Energy Independence
OFFER Full support to Law Enforcement
PRESERVE our 2nd Amendment
END out-of-control spending
CUT hundreds of useless government programs that DO NOT WORK
STOP Accumulating Republic-Killing Debt
RESTORE our prestige around the world!

These are only a few of many subjects I would address and work within Congress to achieve! While it’s possible you may not live in our 4th District, you likely know friends, colleagues and even relatives who do live here. I'm looking for their vote and their support! Please share my website address with them!^[2]

”

—Lupe Castillo’s campaign website (2024)^[3]

State House

Ballotpedia survey responses

Lupe Castillo did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Lupe Castillo did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 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.

Lupe Castillo campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Illinois House of Representatives District 23	Disqualified primary	$0	$177
2022	Illinois House of Representatives District 23	Lost general	$0	$169
Grand total			$0	$346
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

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 24, 2024
↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
↑ Lupe Castillo’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 23, 2024

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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 September 24, 2024

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

[3] Lupe Castillo’s campaign website, “Issues,” accessed October 23, 2024

[1]

[2]

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Lupe Castillo

Biography

Elections

2024

U.S. House

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 4

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 4

Endorsements

State House

General election

General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Republican primary election

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

2022

General election

General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 23

Campaign themes

2024

U.S. House

Ballotpedia survey responses

Campaign website

State House

Ballotpedia survey responses

2022

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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