Justin Ford (Illinois)
Justin Ford (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 9th Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.[source]
Ford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Justin Ford was born in Newberry, Michigan. He graduated from Newberry High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 2001 and a graduate degree from the University of Illinois Chicago in 2005. His career experience includes working as an environmental engineer.[1]
2026 battleground election
Ballotpedia identified the March 17 Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District as a battleground election. The summary below is from our coverage of this election, found here.
Kat Abughazaleh (D), Daniel K. Biss (D), Laura Fine (D), and 13 others are running in the Democratic primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District on March 17, 2026. As of December 2025, Abughazaleh, Biss, and Fine led in fundraising and polling.
Incumbent Jan Schakowsky (D) is not running for re-election. As of December 2025, major election forecasters rated the general election Solid Democratic. This is the first election in the 9th District without an incumbent on the ballot since Schakowsky was first elected in 1998. Axios' Justin Kaufmann said the primary "could pave the way for younger Democrats to take over the district that traditionally skews left."[2]
Abughazaleh is a former researcher and video producer with Media Matters for America, a group describing itself as "a web-based, not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) progressive research and information center."[3][4] Abghazaleh says she is running "because the same old sh** isn't working — and it won't work to defeat Trump's agenda."[5] Abughazaleh said that "I've fought fascists before as a citizen, union rep, and independent journalist. Now, I'm going to do the same in Congress."[6]
Biss is the mayor of Evanston and a former state legislator. Biss ran for the Democratic nomination for governor in 2018. Biss says he is running "because we need Democrats who won't flinch, won't fold, won't forget what we're fighting for."[7] Biss' campaign website says he "has built coalitions and brought people together to solve problems that have gone unaddressed for too long...Daniel continues to stand up to Donald Trump on immigration, preserving access to abortion, expanding mental health services, and more."[8] Schakowsky endorsed Biss on January 7, 2026.[9]
Fine was elected to the Illinois Senate in 2018. Fine served six years in the Illinois House and worked in journalism. Fine says she is running "to continue her fight to make sure Illinois continues to have a champion in Washington that stands up for families, not special interests."[10] Fine's campaign website says: "For Laura, every bill, every battle, and every victory is personal – because she knows what it’s like to be the person counting on a system that too often says no."[11]
Also running in the primary are Bushra Amiwala (D), Phil Andrew (D), Natalie Angelo (D), Patricia Brown (D), Jeff Cohen (D), Justin Ford (D), Mark Fredrickson (D), Hoan Huynh (D), Bethany Johnson (D), Sam Polan (D), Nick Pyati (D), Howard Rosenblum (D), and Mike Simmons (D).
In the 2024 election, Schakowsky defeated Seth Alan Cohen (D) 68%–32%.
Elections
2026
See also: Illinois' 9th Congressional District election, 2026
General election
The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. Additional general election candidates will be added here following the primary.
General election for U.S. House Illinois District 9
Delila Barrera is running in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 9 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| Delila Barrera (Independent) | ||
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 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9
The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9 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. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Miracle Jenkins (D)
- Jill Manrique (D)
- David Abrevaya (D)
- Tamika La'Shon Hill (D)
- Jan Schakowsky (D)
- Lauren Million (D)
- Bruce Leon (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9
Rocio Cleveland, John Elleson, Paul Friedman, and Mark Su are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 9 on March 17, 2026.
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Polls
- See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Polls are conducted with a variety of methodologies and have margins of error or credibility intervals.[12] The Pew Research Center wrote, "A margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points at the 95% confidence level means that if we fielded the same survey 100 times, we would expect the result to be within 3 percentage points of the true population value 95 of those times."[13] For tips on reading polls from FiveThirtyEight, click here. For tips from Pew, click here.
Below we provide results for polls from a wide variety of sources, including media outlets, social media, campaigns, and aggregation websites, when available. We only report polls for which we can find a margin of error or credibility interval. Know of something we're missing? Click here to let us know.
| Poll | Dates | Abughazaleh | Amiwala | Andrew | Biss | Fine | Huynh | Leon | Simmons | Someone else | Other | Undecided | Sample size | Margin of error | Sponsor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
– | 17 | 3 | 3 | 31 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 | -- | 21 | 500 LV | ± 4.4% | Daniel Biss | |
– | 18 | 6 | -- | 18 | 10 | 5 | -- | 6 | -- | 6 | 31 | 569 LV | ± 4.0% | ||
| Note: LV is likely voters, RV is registered voters, and EV is eligible voters. | |||||||||||||||
Election campaign finance
| Name | Party | Receipts* | Disbursements** | Cash on hand | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kat Abughazaleh | Democratic Party | $1,524,729 | $512,454 | $1,012,275 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Bushra Amiwala | Democratic Party | $642,187 | $159,962 | $482,225 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Phil Andrew | Democratic Party | $726,035 | $78,297 | $647,738 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Natalie Angelo | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Daniel K. Biss | Democratic Party | $1,325,884 | $315,616 | $1,010,268 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Patricia Brown | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Jeff Cohen | Democratic Party | $430,772 | $34,295 | $396,477 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Laura Fine | Democratic Party | $660,741 | $181,543 | $479,198 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Justin Ford | Democratic Party | $24,803 | $24,079 | $724 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Mark Fredrickson | Democratic Party | $0 | $0 | $0 | Data not available*** |
| Hoan Huynh | Democratic Party | $363,957 | $162,179 | $201,779 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Bethany Johnson | Democratic Party | $2,324 | $370 | $1,954 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Sam Polan | Democratic Party | $343,412 | $36,942 | $306,470 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Nick Pyati | Democratic Party | $252,931 | $96,282 | $156,649 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Howard Rosenblum | Democratic Party | $75,242 | $2,838 | $72,404 | As of September 30, 2025 |
| Mike Simmons | Democratic Party | $211,694 | $77,042 | $134,651 | As of September 30, 2025 |
|
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." |
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Satellite spending
- See also: Satellite spending
Satellite spending describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[14][15][16]
If available, this section includes links to online resources tracking satellite spending in this election. To notify us of a resource to add, email us.
| By candidate | By election |
|---|---|
Note: As of December 9, 2025, Natalie Angelo (D), Patricia Brown (D), and Mark Fredrickson (D) had not filed as candidates with the Federal Election Commission.
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released April 28, 2025 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Justin Ford completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Ford's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
I’ve lived in Andersonville for over a decade, raised two sons, and worked to protect people’s health, safety, and rights on the job. I’ve helped organize workers, supported unions, and built a career in public health as a Certified Industrial Hygienist—focusing on protecting people in workplaces, schools, hospitals, and neighborhoods across the country.
I’m running because too many working families are being left behind while corporate power grows unchecked. It’s time for bold structural reforms, like a four-day work week, real climate action, and rebuilding the labor movement, to build an economy and a democracy that actually work for all of us- A four-day work week isn’t just possible—it’s necessary. It’s time to give people their time back, boost productivity, and build an economy that works for working families.
- Real climate action creates jobs. We need to invest in a carbon-negative, storm-resilient future; powered by union labor, clean energy, and smart public infrastructure.
- Rebuild the labor movement to rebuild the middle class. That means stronger unions, higher wages, safer workplaces, and policies that put people—not corporations—at the center of our economy.
I’m also committed to bold climate policy, leveraging our amazing American workforce, and rooted in justice, resilience, and job creation.
She didn’t just believe in good policy; she believed in building institutions that protect people, especially those most likely to be exploited or left behind. Her work was grounded in both compassion and structural change, and she used her position not for personal power but to fight for workers and families who had none.
The lyrics speak to a world where no one is judged for who they are, where basic needs are met, and where we all have the chance to live free from fear. It’s about building something better—not just for ourselves, but for the people who’ve been pushed aside or left behind. That spirit of inclusion and shared responsibility is at the core of my political philosophy.
Second, they need to be able to deliver. Good intentions aren’t enough—we need leaders who can turn values into action and ideas into tangible results. That means understanding how systems work, building coalitions, and doing the hard, unglamorous work of governing. Caring without competence can’t change lives—but competence without caring leads to policies that leave people behind. We need both.
I bring a rare mix of real-world experience, practical problem-solving, and deep care for the people I serve. I’ve built a career protecting workers and communities, not from behind a desk, but out in the field, making sure our workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods are safe.
I know how to listen, how to organize, and how to get results. Whether it was helping unionize grad workers at UIC or protecting public health during the pandemic, I’ve always believed in showing up, sticking with the hard problems, and putting people first.
First and foremost, elected officials must show up for their constituents, not just in election years, but every single day. That means helping people navigate federal programs, cutting through red tape, and responding quickly and personally when folks need help. In a time when trust in government is low, good constituent service isn’t a side duty, it’s a lifeline.
Second, this office is a lawmaking role. We need members of Congress who understand policy, who can write and pass legislation that actually improves people’s lives, and who aren’t afraid to take tough votes. That includes fighting for a four-day work week, climate resilience, and a fairer economy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected.
There’s a quote I think about often: 'A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.' That’s the kind of leadership I believe in.
We’ve lost some of that moral clarity in recent years, but I believe we can reclaim it.
One of my favorite books is "The Giving Tree". It’s a children’s book, but the message stays with you for life. It’s about selflessness, quiet love, and what it means to give without expecting anything in return. To me, it reflects the kind of leadership we should strive
for: rooted in care, service, and a long-term commitment to others. It’s also a reminder that we all have a role to play in supporting the people around us, even if that role changes over time. That message has always stuck with me, especially as a parent and a public servant.
Also, I’ve always had a soft spot for "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy". It’s hilarious, imaginative, and full of unexpected wisdom. Beneath the Absurdity, there’s a quiet message: the universe is chaotic, but kindness, curiosity, and a sense of humor still matter. The line “Don’t panic” has stuck with me for years. It’s simple, but good advice in life and in politics. The book reminds me that we can take our work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. And that even in a messy,
What I admire about Riker is that he’s confident without being arrogant, decisive without being impulsive. He brings heart and strength to tough situations, and he never forgets the human element, even in the middle of a crisis.
It’s not just a song—it’s a warning, a promise, and a challenge all at once. Every time I hear it, I’m reminded that we’re living through one of those moments again, where people are demanding real change, and the old ways just aren’t cutting it anymore.
There’s no handbook for this kind of thing. But through it, I’ve learned a lot about flexibility, long-term thinking, and putting relationships first. It’s shaped the way I lead and how I think about policy, not just in terms of programs or systems, but in terms of real people doing their best for the people they love.
We need bold, structural action: protect democratic institutions, fight for an economy that works for working people, and take serious climate action that creates jobs and builds resilience. The next decade will test whether we’re willing to fix what is broken and pave the way for a brighter future.
Like Simon, I believe leadership starts with integrity and ends with action. He worked across the aisle without ever losing his principles. That’s the kind of representative I aim to be: someone grounded in values, serious about results, and never afraid to speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable.
That was before the ACA. And now, as politicians try to roll back healthcare protections, I worry that more families will face impossible choices like that one. No child should have to beg for medical care.
We need stricter disclosure laws, stronger oversight of federal spending, and real consequences for corruption and self-dealing. That includes closing loopholes that allow dark money to influence our elections and making sure campaign finance data is accessible and clear.
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.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 6, 2025
- ↑ Axios, "Schakowsky's potential exit opens door for young Dems," May 2, 2025
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Kat A.," accessed December 12, 2025
- ↑ Media Matters for America, "About Us," accessed December 12, 2025
- ↑ Kat Abughazaleh campaign website, "About," accessed December 12, 2025
- ↑ Kat Abughazaleh campaign website, "Home page," accessed December 17, 2025
- ↑ YouTube, "Let's do this – Biss campaign advertisement," May 14, 2025
- ↑ Daniel K. Biss campaign website, "About," accessed December 17, 2025
- ↑ ABC 7 Chicago, "U.S. Rep. Schakowsky endorses Evanston Mayor Biss to take her congressional seat," January 7, 2026
- ↑ Laura Fine campaign website, "Meet Laura," accessed December 12, 2025
- ↑ Laura Fine campaign website, "Meet Laura," accessed December 17, 2025
- ↑ For more information on the difference between margins of error and credibility intervals, see explanations from the American Association for Public Opinion Research and Ipsos.
- ↑ Pew Research Center, "5 key things to know about the margin of error in election polls," September 8, 2016
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed December 12, 2021
- ↑ National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," December 12, 2021
