Jerry Evans (Illinois)

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Jerry Evans

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Wheaton College, 2006

Personal

Birthplace

Ohio

Religion

Christian

Profession

Small business owner

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

Personal YouTube

Personal LinkedIn

Jerry Evans (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 11th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Jerry Evans was born in Ohio. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wheaton College in 2006. His career experience includes working as a small business owner and educator.

Elections

2024

See also: Illinois' 11th Congressional District election, 2024

Illinois' 11th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Democratic primary)

Illinois' 11th Congressional District election, 2024 (March 19 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 11

Incumbent Bill Foster defeated Jerry Evans and Anna Schiefelbein in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 11 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Foster (D)	55.6	199,825
		Jerry Evans (R)	44.4	159,630
		Anna Schiefelbein (Independent) (Write-in)	0.1	229

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 359,684
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11

Incumbent Bill Foster defeated Qasim Rashid in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Foster	76.6	35,159
		Qasim Rashid	23.4	10,754

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,913
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11

Jerry Evans defeated Susan Hathaway-Altman and Kent Mercado in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11 on March 19, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jerry Evans	50.7	17,814
		Susan Hathaway-Altman	37.1	13,032
		Kent Mercado	12.3	4,312

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,158
= 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

• Alec Martin (R)

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Evans in this election.

2022

See also: Illinois' 11th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 11

Incumbent Bill Foster defeated Catalina Lauf and Donald Wagner in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 11 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Foster (D)	56.5	149,172
		Catalina Lauf (R)	43.5	115,069
	Submit photo	Donald Wagner (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	0

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 264,241
= 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 U.S. House Illinois District 11

Incumbent Bill Foster advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bill Foster	100.0	44,096

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,096
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 11 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Catalina Lauf	31.0	15,360
		Jerry Evans	22.5	11,158
		Mark Carroll	20.1	9,955
		Susan Hathaway-Altman	12.1	6,017
	Submit photo	Cassandra Tanner Miller	7.5	3,730
	Submit photo	Andrea Heeg	6.7	3,334

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 49,554
= 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

• Mike Pierce (R)
• Grace Green (R)
• Dean Seppelfrick (R)
• Juan Ramos (R)

2020

See also: Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2020

Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Republican primary)

Illinois' 14th Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Democratic primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 14

Incumbent Lauren Underwood defeated Jim Oberweis and Joseph Monack in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren Underwood (D)	50.7	203,209
		Jim Oberweis (R)	49.3	197,835
	Submit photo	Joseph Monack (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	8

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 401,052
= 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 U.S. House Illinois District 14

Incumbent Lauren Underwood advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lauren Underwood	100.0	77,707

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 77,707
= 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.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 14 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jim Oberweis	25.6	13,333
		Sue Rezin	22.8	11,879
		Catalina Lauf	20.1	10,451
		Ted Gradel	13.4	6,979
		James Marter	11.0	5,724
		Jerry Evans	5.0	2,609
	Submit photo	Anthony Catella	2.1	1,118

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,093
= 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

• Danny Malouf (R)
• Matt Quigley (R)

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jerry Evans did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Evans’s campaign website stated the following:

“	LIMITED GOVERNMENT Limited government is central to the U.S. Constitution. For far too long, there has been a lack of accountability in Washington. Career politicians like Bill Foster and Joe Biden overspend your hard-earned tax dollars growing the size of government without any ramifications. Instituting term limits, cutting federal spending, and balancing the federal budget would help solve many of the serious problems facing America today. Returning power to the American people by shifting authority away from the federal government and returning it to state and local municipalities would lead to greater freedom and prosperity. TRANSPORTATION Our infrastructure and transportation systems are the backbone of our economy. Recently, we have seen too many failures within America’s infrastructure. Highways have been collapsing, trains have derailed, air and seaports are in disrepair despite spending trillions to fix this systemic problem. Our crumbling infrastructure is holding back economic growth and opportunity in this country. Continued investment is required, but we must also ensure that taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely and there is no pork barrel spending on frivolous construction projects. ENERGY America can be energy independent and provide affordable energy for all, but the current Democrat policies led by Joe Biden have not worked for the American people. Gas prices have skyrocketed, overreaching regulations on businesses and personal property have cost citizens even more, and it is simply not working for everyday Americans in Illinois. We need a free-market “all-of-the-above” approach to energy policy, so consumers have freedom of choice. Utilizing American oil and clean natural gas, opening the Keystone Pipeline, funding nuclear, solar, wind, and hydro programs will allow for market-based solutions. IMMIGRATION The crisis at the Southern border has Illinois experiencing increased rates of human trafficking, drug abuse, fentanyl deaths, and crime all over our state. It is heartbreaking that so many young people are dying from fentanyl overdoses, and innocent children are being trafficked across the southern border. Just because Illinois is not a border state does not mean we have not felt the impact of the poor border policies enacted by the Biden Administration. Protecting Illinois requires that we secure the southern border and stop human and drug trafficking, saving thousands of lives. Comprehensive border security solutions, ending catch and release, and the construction of physical barriers are necessary to secure America’s southern border. We are a nation of immigrants, and the US must have a working system for legal immigration. There are many positive benefits from legal immigration, but the American people will not support any type of comprehensive immigration changes until the southern border is secure. FOREIGN POLICY We must approach our diplomatic engagements from a position of strength, not weakness, and present a united front as we support our allies and stand up to our foes. Under the Biden Administration, we witnessed one of the greatest foreign policy disasters in the heartbreaking withdrawal from Afghanistan. Over the past year, we have seen our Armed Forces degraded, our adversaries emboldened, and the confidence of our allies weakened. We are going in the wrong direction, and we need to restore faith and respect for America across the globe. VETERANS Our veterans are heroes. We must always support our service members who put their lives in harm’s way to protect our country. It is essential to fully fund and equip our troops, bring significant reform to the Department of Veterans Affairs, and address the epidemic of veteran suicides. CRIME After initiatives to defund the police, crime in Chicago has increased into a full-blown crisis. And it’s not just limited to the city itself. Violent criminals running rampant throughout the city are now making their way west into our community. This is no longer just a Chicago problem- it’s our problem too. The people of this district should not have to live in fear. We must stand with law enforcement and provide them with the tools and resources they need to bring criminals to justice and keep our families safe. EDUCATION Every American child deserves an opportunity to succeed, a phenomenal education, and a healthy environment to grow and excel. Jerry Evans has been an educator of over 20 years. He has taught and invested in the lives of children and adults of all ages. He teaches his students to act with integrity, to work hard, to support one another, and how to perform at their best. Jerry supports continuing to reform the education system. Part of that plan means giving parents greater control over their children’s education by providing them additional options through school choice. Parents should have the final say in deciding their children’s education – not the government. We need to remove the woke agenda from our schools and give parents a voice in their child’s curriculum. ECONOMY The American dream should be for all Americans. The best way to create economic growth is to promote free market policies in an environment of fiscal responsibility. Cutting burdensome red tape, curbing inflation, and making strategic cuts to wasteful federal spending will help our economy grow. By embracing pro-growth policies rooted in sound economic principles, our economy will not just recover, but reach new and greater heights. It is through increased opportunity that we will revive the American dream from being crushed beneath a mountain of reckless federal spending.	”
—Jerry Evans’s campaign website (2024)

2022

Jerry Evans completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Evans' 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.

Jerry is a Christian, husband & father, political outsider, and small-business owner who knows what it means to sign the front and back of a paycheck. He is not a politician. As an educator of 20 years who has invested in the lives of numerous children and adults, Jerry understands what it means to serve our community. Jerry believes that leadership starts with service, honesty, integrity, and is fueled by compassion. Now, he’s running to get Americans out of the economic rut in which we now find ourselves, and to create a brighter future full of opportunity for Illinois’ next generation.

Jerry first moved to the Chicago suburbs to attend Wheaton College, where he received a degree in music. After graduating, Jerry founded a school of music in the Chicago suburbs. Having begun as a one-man shop, his business has since grown exponentially, now instructing nearly 300 students and employing 15 staff members in our community. Jerry attributes his school’s success to his commitment to his students, passion for music, and consistent hard work.

Even as Jerry uses music to communicate his faith, he knows actions can speak louder than words. That’s why he has spent considerable time mentoring young adults, training missionaries, and has made 10+ mission trips to places like India, Mexico, and South Africa to further spread God’s word. He also actively serves in his local church. Today, Jerry lives in Warrenville with his wife, Lisa, and sons, Michael & Levi.

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?

• Right now, our most pressing problem is crime. Last year, the murder rate in the Chicago suburbs rose 50%. The short-term solution is simple. Provide law enforcement with the tools and resources they need to tackle violent crime. In the long-term, Chicago and the rest of Illinois need to focus on creating better jobs and opportunities for those who might otherwise resort to crime, while also providing greater access to mental health services.
• By now, we should realize we cannot tax and spend our way into prosperity. Instead, we should focus on fostering an economy in which small businesses -the backbone of our economy- can thrive. That begins with reducing taxes and cutting unnecessary regulations. I support restoring tax rates provided by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which led to full employment one of the strongest economies in our nation's history.
• Unfortunately, American education has been falling behind other countries’ for years. That’s why Jerry strongly supports giving parents greater control over their children’s education by providing them additional options through school choice, as well as reforming our education system. He believes children should be taught “how” to think, not “what” to think.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Jerry is running for Congress because he believes Leadership is about service, sacrifice, authenticity and compassion.

Even with our children back in school, instead of teaching valuable knowledge and skills such as math, reading, or art, our children are being subjected to liberal indoctrination. From being taught outright propaganda, such as Critical Race Theory, to being forced to read through pornographic materials at a young age, our education system is failing our children. Jerry is running to put a stop to it. Unfortunately, American education has been falling behind other countries’ for years. That’s why Jerry strongly supports giving parents greater control over their children’s education by providing them additional options through school choice, as well as reforming our education system. Jerry believes children should be taught “how” to think, not “what” to think.

Jerry understands that the best way to create economic growth is to promote free market policies. To that end, Jerry supports cutting burdensome red tape, curbing inflation, making strategic cuts to wasteful federal spending in order to balance the budget, and Jerry also supports a balanced budget Constitutional Amendment. By embracing pro-growth policies rooted in sound economic principles, our economy will not just return, but reach new, even greater heights. And through these policies, we can rescue the American Dream from being crushed beneath a mountain of reckless federal spending.

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

I am running for Congress because I believe Leadership is about service, sacrifice, authenticity and compassion.

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

I am running for Congress because I believe Leadership is about service, sacrifice, authenticity and compassion. Three of my everyday bedrock principles are simple. Honesty, Integrity, and Service. I believe in being honest and transparent with the constituents of the 11th District. I always try to live my life with integrity and principle. I have lived my life in service to others, and I want to continue that service by representing everyday Americans.

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

Three of my everyday bedrock principles are simple. Honesty, Integrity, and Service. I believe in being honest and transparent with the constituents of the 11th District. I always try to live my life with integrity and principle. I have lived my life in service to others, and I want to continue that service by representing everyday Americans.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I am supporter of term limits.

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 understand that the best way to create economic growth is to promote free market policies. To that end, I support cutting burdensome red tape, curbing inflation, making strategic cuts to wasteful federal spending in order to balance the budget, and I also support a balanced budget Constitutional Amendment. By embracing pro-growth policies rooted in sound economic principles, our economy will not just return, but reach new, even greater heights. And through these policies, we can rescue the American Dream from being crushed beneath a mountain of reckless federal spending.

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.

2020

Jerry Evans did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Evans' campaign website stated the following:

“	Top Five for Illinois District 14 “In the name of transparency and getting things done, I am presenting my legislative agenda for my first term in Congress and platform on which I will be campaigning against Rep. Underwood. As her constituents know best, Rep. Underwood is too radical for the 14th District. I am announcing my plan to bring back your values and your voice to the District.” - Jerry Evans 1. Fix Our Broken Healthcare System We don’t need government centered healthcare, we need patient centered healthcare. Fixing our healthcare system starts with reducing red tape by opening the market to allow insurance and pharmaceutical companies to compete across state lines. I would reform the system by increasing competition while ensuring further protection for Americans with pre-existing conditions. My plan would allow American patients to dictate the coverage and care they need. 2. Address the Immigration Crisis Appropriating funding to finish the southern border wall is a number one priority and I will make sure President Trump has what is needed to secure our border. I believe in creating a simplified, modern path, to allow legal immigration into our nation, while ensuring that we have a secure border. 3. Small Business and Middle Class Tax Cuts Small businesses account for 99% of all business in Illinois. As a small business owner, I understand the burdens that small businesses and middle class America faces everyday. Additional tax cuts are needed to support the middle class and small businesses. I will be a lead sponsor of this legislation in the next Congress. 4. Defend the Unborn As a man of God, I believe that life begins at conception and every life is absolutely precious. With deep sincerity and care for mothers, fathers, and unborn children, I will fight to end taxpayer funding for abortion. An unborn child is a person and I will fight to protect it’s right to life. 5. End Human Trafficking Human trafficking is the worst form of modern-day slavery and one of the most heinous crimes against humanity we see today: robbing people of their freedom, livelihood, and dignity. It is prevalent not only within the United States but also throughout the communities of the 14th Congressional District. As your next Representative, I will fight to eradicate human trafficking.	”
—Jerry Evans' campaign website (2020)

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Candidate

U.S. House Illinois District 11

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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)