Miguel M. Valente (Sangamon County Board District 18, Illinois, candidate 2026)
Miguel M. Valente (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Sangamon County Board District 18 in Illinois. He was on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.[source]
Valente completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Miguel M. Valente provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on August 29, 2025:
- Birth date: August 18, 2000
- Birth place: Chicago, Illinois
- High school: Gurdon S. Hubbard High School
- Bachelor's: University of Illinois Springfield, 2022
- Graduate: University of Illinois Springfield, 2024
- Military service: United States Army National Guard, 2017-2024
- Gender: Male
- Religion: Catholic
- Profession: Budget Analyst
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign website
- Campaign Facebook
- Campaign Instagram
- Campaign X
Elections
Democratic primary
Democratic primary for Sangamon County Board District 18
Sam Cahnman (D) and Miguel M. Valente (D) ran in the Democratic primary for Sangamon County Board District 18 on March 17, 2026.
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| = 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. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
Valente received the following endorsements.
- Illinois Veterans for Change
- Latino Leadership Council
- New Politics
- Progressives for Democracy in America
- Run for Something
- VoteVets
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Miguel M. Valente completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Valente's responses.
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Miguel aims to be a proactive elected official in Sangamon County's 18th District, ensuring he is accessible to all residents. If elected, he will represent the best interests of District 18 and engage with all residents, regardless of their political affiliations or socioeconomic status. Currently, Miguel is an employee of the State of Illinois. The views expressed on this website are personal and do not reflect the views of the employer.
Miguel was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago in an immigrant family from Guerrero, Mexico. He made history as the first person in his family to graduate from university and serve in the U.S. military. Miguel proudly served as a Water Treatment Specialist in the Illinois Army National Guard and was activated for both federal and state missions during his service. He graduated from Gurdon S. Hubbard High School in 2018 and is a proud alumnus of Chicago Public Schools. Miguel earned a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the Univ- Make Sangamon County a Home Rule Unit. This initiative aims to grant us enhanced local control over governance, allowing us the flexibility needed to tailor solutions for our community's specific challenges. This change can lead to more responsive policies, greater financial flexibility, increased government efficiency, and better addressing of our needs.
- A County Department Focused on Budget and Management. Establish a Department of Budget and Management aimed at enhancing efficiency and achieving budget savings. This department will standardize policies to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability.
- Enhancing Support for Veterans. Assist in securing crucial funding for the Veterans Assistance Commission of Sangamon County, while ensuring compliance with the Military Veterans Assistance Act and maintaining cooperation with the commission throughout the process.
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
Valente's campaign website stated the following:
If elected, I plan to:
Make Sangamon County a Home Rule Unit
This initiative aims to grant us enhanced local control over governance, allowing us the flexibility needed to tailor solutions for our community's specific challenges.
This change can lead to more responsive policies, greater financial flexibility, increased government efficiency, and better addressing of our needs.
To make this a reality, we will need to pursue the following options:
- Option #1 - Pass County Board Resolution
- The Sangamon County Board must pass a resolution to place a Home Rule referendum on the ballot for the next general election in an even-numbered year.
- Afterwards, the County Clerk and the Sangamon County Board will prepare the resolution for voter consideration.
- I will propose this resolution if elected.
- Option #2 - Submit a Referendum Petition
- A referendum petition must be signed by at least 2% of registered voters in the county, or by 500 people, whichever is less.
- These signatures will be filed with the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk or the appropriate election authority.
- Once the Chief Judge of the Circuit Clerk reviews the petition and determines its validity, they will order the question to be placed on the next general election ballot in an even-numbered year.
- I will lead this effort if elected.
- Referendum Language:
- Shall the County of Sangamon become a Home Rule County and establish the county executive form of government?
- Yes
- No
Advocate for:
A County Department Focused on Budget and Management
- Establish a Department of Budget and Management aimed at enhancing efficiency and achieving budget savings.
- This department will standardize policies to promote fiscal responsibility and accountability.
Enhancing Support for Veterans
- Assist in securing essential funding for the Sangamon County Veterans Assistance Commission.
- Ensure that all processes comply with the Military Veterans Assistance Act.
Economic Development Advisory Commission
- Create an advisory committee focused on Economic Development.
- It is crucial to involve residents and business owners in guiding the County Board toward effective strategies and policies that foster economic prosperity.
An Interagency Commission on Homelessness.
- Advisory Commission for Homelessness.
- Create an advisory committee that will address homelessness and provide legislative recommendations to the County Board.
Support and advocate for legislation that:
Addresses Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
- Emphasizes the importance of DEI, recognizing it as a source of strength within our community.
- Ensures County services are accessible, fair, and representative of all residents
- Promotes an inclusive and welcoming County Board for everyone.
Enhancing local protections against ICE:
- Require federal immigration enforcement officials operating in Sangamon County to:
- Present a judicial warrant.
- Remove face coverings.
- Keep badges clearly visible.
Improve transparency in Sangamon County by continuing efforts to:
- Ensure residents are aware of and can easily participate in County Board meetings.
- Allow residents to effectively reach out to their elected officials.
- Digitize our current online platforms to enhance accessibility.
- Digitize all county board voting records on legislation and resolutions.
- Increasing accountability at the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
- Increasing communication and coordination between the City of Springfield and Sangamon County.
Increase funding for the Community Services Block Grant Program
- This funding is essential to provide rental assistance, employment support programs, scholarships, and financial literacy workshops.
- We must ensure we have the necessary staffing and resources to operate this program effectively.
- Additionally, we should continually work to improve the application process and raise awareness among residents about the availability of this program.
Support our Unions
- We recognize the vital role that unions play in defending workers' rights.
- I’m committed to ensuring that our County government reflects the needs of unions
Gun Safety
- Prioritize community safety and the reduction of gun violence.
- Enact legislation aimed at promoting responsible gun ownership and effective violence prevention strategies.
— Miguel M. Valente's campaign website (March 14, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
