Robert Palmer (Illinois)

Robert Palmer (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled on March 17, 2026.^[source]

Biography

Robert Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned an associate degree from Kennedy-King College in 2010, a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roosevelt University in 2011, and a graduate degree from National Louis University in 2021. His career experience includes working as a teacher, a special education classroom assistant, a licensed substitute teacher, a managing real estate broker, an actor, and a producer.

Palmer has been affiliated with the Chicago Teacher Union, SEIU local 73, the National Association of Realtors, the Illinois Association of Realtors, the Chicago Association of Realtors, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Service Employees International Union, and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.^[1]^[2]

Elections

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.

General election for U.S. Senate Illinois

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

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

	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Democratic primary

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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

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
		R. Cary Capparelli
		Casey Chlebek
	Submit photo	CaSándra Claiborne
	Submit photo	Jeannie Evans
		Pamela Denise Long
		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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

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2023

General runoff election

General runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 5

Desmon Yancy defeated Martina Hone in the general runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 5 on April 4, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Desmon Yancy (Nonpartisan)	51.8	6,184
	Submit photo	Martina Hone (Nonpartisan)	48.2	5,758

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,942
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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General election

General election for Chicago City Council Ward 5

The following candidates ran in the general election for Chicago City Council Ward 5 on February 28, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Desmon Yancy (Nonpartisan)	26.0	2,772
✔	Submit photo	Martina Hone (Nonpartisan)	18.6	1,983
	Submit photo	Renita Ward (Nonpartisan)	11.9	1,266
	Submit photo	Wallace Goode (Nonpartisan)	10.5	1,118
	Submit photo	Jocelyn Hare (Nonpartisan)	8.7	927
	Submit photo	Joshua Gray (Nonpartisan)	6.5	690
	Submit photo	Kris Levy (Nonpartisan)	4.6	488
		Gabriel Piemonte (Nonpartisan)	4.1	438
		Dialika Perkins (Nonpartisan)	3.7	399
	Submit photo	Marlene Fisher (Nonpartisan)	3.7	397
		Robert Palmer (Nonpartisan)	1.8	197
		William Calloway (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)	0.0	1

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,676
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Adrienne Irmer (Nonpartisan)

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.
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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.
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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.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Matthew O'Keefe (R)

2020

Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Democratic primary)

Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Incumbent Bobby Rush defeated Philanise White and Ruth Pellegrini in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on November 3, 2020.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Bobby Rush (D)	73.8	239,943
	Philanise White (R)	26.2	85,027
	Ruth Pellegrini (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	153

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 325,123
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Incumbent Bobby Rush defeated Sarah Gad, Robert Emmons Jr., and Ameena Nuur Matthews in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bobby Rush	71.5	94,863
		Sarah Gad	10.4	13,783
		Robert Emmons Jr.	10.3	13,628
	Submit photo	Ameena Nuur Matthews	7.8	10,409

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 132,683
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Robert Palmer (D)
Darnell Leatherwood (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Philanise White advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Philanise White	100.0	10,134

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,134
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

Robert Palmer has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Robert Palmer, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2023

Robert Palmer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Palmer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Chicago Public School Teacher, I have taught physical education, health, and just became a Special Education Teacher on the high school level. I hold several endorsements such as Elementary Education, LBS1 Special Education and a Physical Education approval. I hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching Degree in Elementary Education from National Louis University (2021), a BPS Degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University, (2011) a Graduate Credential in Commercial Real Estate from Roosevelt University (2013) and an Associates Degree in General Studies from Kennedy King College (2010). I am a member of the Chicago Teachers Union, SAG/AFTRA, the National, Illinois, and Chicago Associations of Realtors. I am a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. I have been a Baseball, Football and Special Olympics Coach. I am a Member of the Local School Council as a Teacher Rep. I am a Managing Real Estate Broker, I produced a SAG/AFTRA short film. I filed a successful lawsuit to reverse some red light/speed zone tickets. I am an advocate for fair and affordable housing, I support Reparations for African -Americans. I support mentorship, economical and educational opportunities for youth and adults. Safe streets and public transportation is a must. I am an advocate for investing in Mental Health centers for the community and an advocate for home ownership.

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?

Business Mentorship, Educational and Economic opportunities for youth and adults, to help eliminates crime and poverty
Fair and affordable housing and a path to home ownership for residents
Safe streets and public transportation. Bring healthy grocery stores and eliminate food deserts.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Community based policing where officers should relate to community and get to know the citizens and community that they patrol.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

Connecting with neighborhood services. Voting on city ordinances.

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

Malcolm X and Martin Luther King for their commitment to service and putting their lives on the line for what they believed in.

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

The miseducation of the Negro by Carter G. Woodson

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

Honesty, Integrity.

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

Discipline and Loyalty

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

Connect community with services. Vote on ordinances

What legacy would you like to leave?

I did my best and got things accomplished.

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

Events of 1968

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

Paper route. 1 year

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Autobiography of Malcolm X because of his candor and overcoming challenges.

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

Hawk, Avery Brooks, because he was cool.

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

Star by Earth Wind and Fire.

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

Giving many chances to people.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

Don't hesitate or be afraid to contact the Alderman's office if you y
need services or information.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

ability to relate

Tell us your favorite joke.

What Church do you go to. Churches chicken

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.

2022

Robert Palmer did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Robert Palmer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Palmer'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 a neighborhood activist, a 12 year employee of Chicago Public Schools, currently in the diverse learners department as well as a Special Olympics Coach and Asst. Baseball Coach! I hold a BPS in Psychology from Roosevelt University and matriculating a Masters in Elementary Education expected June, 2020 from National Louis University. I am an Illinois Managing Real Estate Broker, a recent film producer, Member of SAG/AFTRA, as well as the Father of two Children. I grew up in Englewood, and want to see the community flourish and improve to its potential!

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?

Opportunities for community citizens.
Taking charge in our community and making it safe, and willing to put my life on the line on the front line!
Increasing African-American Political Empowerment

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I want to see an open and fair Government, Fairness in business and employment opportunities, More officers of color policing our own neighborhoods and developing a more friendly relationship with the citizens. Safety in the community and improved community involvement.

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

Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and My Father, they all were family men and Malcolm and Martin were willing to put their lives on the line for the betterment of our community!

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

The Miseducation of the Negro, by Carter G. Woodson, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

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

Honesty, Courageousness, Compassion and be Innovative.

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

Honesty, integrity, Leadership and Courage

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

Listening to their constituents. Be a Fiduciary for the community.

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

The Million Man March, it was very surreal! I was 34 years old

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

The Hawk! (Avery Brooks)

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

Bills can be introduce, policy can be positively influenced.

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

No, politics are of the people for the people and experienced or professional politicians are sometimes coopted and no longer serve the needs of the people or their constituents.

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

Entrenched and systemic racism is still a major problem in America, as well as a lack of opportunities, and lack of quality education and fair housing for people of color!

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 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.

Robert Palmer campaign contribution history
Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. Senate Illinois	Candidacy Declared primary	$0	N/A**
2022	U.S. House Illinois District 1	Lost primary	$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

Website

Facebook

Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 5, 2019
↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 12, 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 December 5, 2019

[2] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 12, 2022

[1]

[2]

		Candidate
		Steve Botsford Jr.
	Submit photo	Sean Brown
	Submit photo	Awisi Bustos
		Jonathan Dean
		Adam Delgado
		Robin Kelly
		Raja Krishnamoorthi
	Submit photo	Bryan Maxwell
		Robert Palmer
		Kevin Ryan
		Jump Shepherd
		Juliana Stratton
		Christopher Swann
		Anthony Williams

	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

Robert Palmer (Illinois)

Biography

Elections

2026

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Illinois

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

2023

General runoff election

General runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 5

General election

General election for Chicago City Council Ward 5

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

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

2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

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

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

2023

2022

2020

Campaign finance summary

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

Election analysis

Trending

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