Steve Botsford Jr.

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Steve Botsford Jr.

Democratic Party

Candidate, U.S. Senate Illinois

Elections and appointments

Last election

February 28, 2023

Next election

March 17, 2026

Education

High school

St. Viator High School

Bachelor's

University of Notre Dame, 2011

Graduate

Georgetown University, 2018

Graduate

Northwestern University, 2021

Personal

Birthplace

Barrington, IL

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Real estate

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Campaign TikTok

Steve Botsford Jr. (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.^[source]

Botsford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Steve Botsford Jr. was born in Barrington, Illinois. He earned a high school diploma from St. Viator High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2011, a graduate degree from Georgetown University in 2018, and a graduate degree from Northwestern University in 2021. His career experience includes working in real estate.

Elections

2026

See also: United States Senate election in Illinois, 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)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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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.

		Candidate
		Steve Botsford Jr.
		Sean Brown
		Awisi Bustos
		Jonathan Dean
		Robin Kelly
		Raja Krishnamoorthi
		Bryan Maxwell
		Kevin Ryan
		Juliana Stratton
		Christopher Swann

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= 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

• Dick Durbin (D)
• Adam Delgado (D)
• Stanley Leavell (D)
• Robert Palmer (D)
• Adair Rodriquez (D)
• Jump Shepherd (D)
• Anthony Williams (D)

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
		Jeannie Evans
		Pamela Denise Long
		Jimmy Lee Tillman II
	Submit photo	Don Tracy

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
= 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

• Panagioti Bartzis (R)
• Doug Bennett (R)
• John Goodman (R)
• Lloyd Jones (R)
• Januario Ortega (R)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2023

See also: City elections in Chicago, Illinois (2023)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 43

Incumbent Timmy Knudsen defeated Brian Comer in the general runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 43 on April 4, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Timmy Knudsen (Nonpartisan)	52.9	9,227
	Submit photo	Brian Comer (Nonpartisan)	47.1	8,199

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,426
= 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.

General election

General election for Chicago City Council Ward 43

The following candidates ran in the general election for Chicago City Council Ward 43 on February 28, 2023.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Timmy Knudsen (Nonpartisan)	26.8	3,950
✔	Submit photo	Brian Comer (Nonpartisan)	24.1	3,543
		Rebecca Janowitz (Nonpartisan)	19.8	2,917
	Submit photo	Wendi Taylor Nations (Nonpartisan)	13.5	1,984
		Steve Botsford Jr. (Nonpartisan)	9.0	1,331
	Submit photo	Steven McClellan (Nonpartisan)	6.7	990

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 14,715
= 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

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Steve Botsford Jr. completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Botsford'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 grew up in the northwest suburbs of Illinois, graduated from Notre Dame, and walked on to the football team. After school I worked on Capitol Hill for Congressman Tony Cárdenas, where I helped draft legislation on economic mobility and workforce issues. I later earned a master’s in applied economics from Georgetown and an MBA from Northwestern.

My career has taken me through structured finance, political campaigns, and now the small real estate business my family built. In 2023 I ran for Chicago City Council, knocking on nearly every door in the ward and centering my campaign on two things that matter to every neighborhood (building more housing people can afford and making communities safer).

Illinois has always been home, and everything I’ve worked on comes back to the same idea: strengthening the places families live, work, and build their futures.

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?

• Families feel squeezed because the cost of everything keeps rising while our systems stay stuck. I want to lower the cost of living by building more housing, expanding clean and reliable energy, cutting unnecessary barriers that drive up prices, and making healthcare and childcare more affordable. Growing the economy by increasing supply is the most direct way to help working people build stability and plan for the future.
• The American Dream used to mean each generation could climb higher through hard work. Today, that dream feels out of reach for too many families priced out of homeownership, weighed down by debt, or stuck in systems that don’t deliver. I want to restore that promise by expanding opportunity, making it easier to start a family, buy a home, and build a good life. A country as wealthy and innovative as ours should make upward mobility possible again.
• Democrats lost ground in 2024, especially with voters we used to win. The party’s brand has grown narrower, and career politicians aren’t bringing new people into the coalition. If we want to govern and pass big reforms, we need candidates who can appeal to independents, moderates, and voters who drifted away. I want to open the tent, broaden our appeal, and show that Democrats can be the party of growth, safety, opportunity, and practical results, not insider careerism.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m passionate about making life more affordable and rebuilding the systems families rely on. That includes increasing housing supply, expanding clean and reliable energy, and modernizing permitting so we can build faster. I care about public safety and evidence-based approaches that reduce violent crime. I’m focused on expanding economic opportunity, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and using new technology (including AI tutoring) to improve education. Above all, I’m driven by restoring mobility so the American Dream is possible again.

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

Integrity, honesty, and accountability matter most. Voters should know exactly where you stand and why. An elected official needs the discipline to focus on results instead of theatrics, the independence to challenge their own party when needed, and the humility to listen to the people they represent. Personally, I think it’s important to be optimistic about our future, appeal to the better angels of our nature, and show a patriotism rooted in building a stronger country rather than fearmongering to win votes.

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

The core responsibility of a senator is to exercise independent judgment and do what is right for the country, not simply what is popular in the moment. That means weighing long-term consequences, protecting national interests, and making decisions rooted in evidence, duty, and the public good. A senator should strengthen the institutions that keep the country stable, ensure government works for ordinary families, and focus on policies that expand opportunity and security for the next generation.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy of integrity and public service that feels connected to the lives of ordinary people. I want voters to look at my work and feel that politics can be a noble profession again, grounded in honesty, empathy, and a real commitment to the country’s future. If people can say I listened, worked hard, and earned their trust, that’s the legacy I’d want to leave.

What is your favorite book? Why?

My favorite book is Greg Mankiw’s Principles of Microeconomics. It opened my world to economics and taught me that incentives drive everything and that second-order effects are often the hardest to predict. It was the first class that felt completely intuitive to me, the first time I felt genuinely smart in an academic setting, and the only A+ I ever earned in college.

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

I’d choose Josh Lyman. He combined intellectual ferocity with a deep commitment to the mission he believed in, but he also never took himself too seriously, even in an incredibly serious job. That mix of intensity, purpose, and perspective is something I aspire to.

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

Our greatest challenges are affordability, technological disruption, and a political system that hasn’t kept pace with either. Families are being squeezed by housing, energy, healthcare, and childcare costs that rise faster than paychecks. AI and global competition will reshape work, and we need to manage that transition so opportunity expands rather than narrows. And we need a governing system capable of solving big problems again. If we don’t fix those three areas, the American Dream will keep drifting further out of reach.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I support term limits. Long tenures can create complacency and a culture where holding office matters more than solving problems. Term limits for the House and Senate should be longer than those for the presidency, which reinforces a core constitutional idea (Congress is the superior branch and should never be overshadowed by an imperial executive). Regular turnover brings fresh energy while still preserving the experience needed to govern well.

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

The Senate is unique because it’s designed to slow down short-term politics and force deeper judgment. With longer terms and a statewide constituency, senators are expected to think beyond immediate pressures and take responsibility for the country’s long-term stability. The chamber’s structure encourages coalition-building and gives space for real oversight of national policy. At its best, the Senate is less reliant on party leadership and allows senators to bring independent perspectives to the country’s biggest challenges.

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

Experience can help, but it isn’t the only thing that matters. What matters is judgment, independence, and a track record of solving real problems. Some senators with long résumés get trapped in party habits and stop bringing fresh ideas. Others with less traditional backgrounds approach the job with clearer eyes. The ideal mix is practical experience, an understanding of how government works, and the independence to challenge it when it’s not serving the public well.

What do you think of the filibuster?

The filibuster was once a practice that encouraged broad, bipartisan solutions. In today’s heightened political conflict, it functions more as a tool of gridlock than deliberation. When it routinely prevents the country from tackling the major challenges in front of us, it stops serving its purpose. We need a Senate that can still debate, still build durable coalitions, but also still act.

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

Daniel Patrick Moynihan is the senator I look to most. He combined intellectual seriousness with a deep understanding of how policy shapes everyday life. He cared about data, institutions, and long-term national strength, and he wasn’t afraid to challenge his own party when the evidence required it. Moynihan understood that good governance depends on clear thinking, honest debate, and a willingness to confront hard problems directly, qualities I would strive to bring to the Senate.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

I would look for integrity, legal excellence, and a clear commitment to applying the law as written. Judges shouldn’t legislate from the bench or stretch constitutional limits to reach outcomes they prefer. I want nominees who respect precedent, understand the proper role of each branch, and can separate personal views from judicial duty. The goal is a judiciary that is fair, restrained, and grounded in the Constitution, not one that swings with political winds.

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

I would build relationships based on trust, direct communication, and a shared commitment to getting things done. I’m interested in working with anyone who wants to lower costs, strengthen the country, and restore public confidence in government. That means building ties across party lines, keeping disagreements honest and respectful, and focusing on areas where durable coalitions are possible. The Senate works best when its members see each other as partners in governing, not props in a partisan fight.

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

Compromise is a necessity for durable policymaking. A senator should fight for core principles while also assembling coalitions broad enough to turn ideas into law. The goal isn’t to win every point, it’s to make real progress on challenges like affordability, public safety, and economic growth. When compromise produces lasting solutions that move the country forward, it isn’t a concession, it’s governing.

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

The Senate should use its investigative powers to strengthen government, not score political points. Oversight should focus on major national challenges, the functioning of key institutions, and giving the public clear answers. It should also reinforce Congress as the most important branch of government by ensuring the executive doesn’t trample on legislative authority. Investigations should be fact-driven, forward-looking, and aimed at fixing problems rather than creating headlines.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees to their Cabinet?

I believe a president should have the Cabinet he needs to run his administration, and confirmations shouldn’t be stalled for political calculations. At the same time, the Senate has a responsibility to ensure every nominee is qualified for the job. I look for competence, independence, and respect for the law. Cabinet officials must be able to manage major institutions, give honest counsel, and operate within the limits of executive authority.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

An accomplishment I’m proud of is earning my way into Notre Dame after getting rejected the first time. I transferred to Indiana, worked harder than I ever had, got the grades, and was admitted. Then I pushed even further and walked on to the football team, despite never starting in high school. That experience taught me that with enough perseverance you can overcome setbacks, outwork failure, and change your own trajectory.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

The federal government should set clear national guardrails for AI. Leaving regulation to 50 different state legislatures would create a patchwork of rules that slows innovation and undermines the competitiveness of American companies. We need one strong federal framework that protects consumers, ensures transparency, and keeps the country on the frontier of technological progress. AI is also a geopolitical issue. If we fall behind, countries like China will set the standards for the next era. The goal is safe, responsible AI that strengthens American leadership.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I would support national independent redistricting to end partisan map-drawing, clear federal standards for voter ID, and legislation that allows states to adopt ranked-choice voting and nonpartisan primaries. I’d invest in secure infrastructure to experiment with mobile voting and upgrade voting systems nationwide. I also favor increasing the size of the House and allowing multi-member districts to make representation more accountable to the public. The goal is an election system that is fair, transparent, and strengthens trust in our democracy.

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.

2023

Steve Botsford Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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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.

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Steve Botsford Jr. campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2026*	U.S. Senate Illinois	On the Ballot primary	$101,792	$101,792
Grand total			$101,792	$101,792
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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Candidate

U.S. Senate Illinois

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Footnotes

[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)