John Elleson
IL-09 Republican nominee?
$6.2K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePastor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundPastor
EducationChristian Life College (Theology; bachelor's; 1985)
Notable personal detailsJohn D. Elleson is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. He has worked in the Chicagoland area as a pastor/minister for decades, including at Lakewood Chapel. Elleson previously ran for IL-09 in 2018 and again sought the seat in the 2026 cycle.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports lowering taxes at federal, state, and local levels, favors tax relief for middle-class and homeowners, and advocates reigning in government spending and balancing the budget. Expresses support for a flat tax system where everyone pays the same percentage and opposes relying primarily on taxing the wealthy to address inequality.
Healthcare
Supports community-focused healthcare solutions that expand local clinics and affordability initiatives while opposing increased federal overreach. Emphasizes addressing mental health and addiction through local, practical programs. Advocates bipartisan, locally driven approaches rather than large federal expansions of healthcare programs.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger immigration enforcement and securing the border while backing comprehensive reform that includes expanded vetting, cracking down on visa overstays, and employer verification; emphasizes humane enforcement and bipartisan solutions. Has expressed support for measures like enhanced vetting of entrants and cautious consideration of physical border barriers.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports legal protection for human life beginning at conception, opposes public funding for abortion providers, and indicates abortion should be allowed only in cases of rape or incest.
Climate & Energy
Supports rolling back or avoiding aggressive Obama-era climate regulations and prioritizes protecting the economy and energy affordability while expressing interest in clean air and water. Views the Paris Agreement as unfair to the U.S. relative to countries like China and emphasizes energy self-sufficiency and minimizing regulatory harm to low-income communities.
Public Safety & Guns
John Elleson expresses opposition to more restrictive gun-control measures and frames himself as a conservative who emphasizes community safety and law enforcement. His campaign materials focus on community safety and related issues but do not detail support for specific expanded firearm restrictions.
News
John Elleson is in the news as a Republican candidate for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. In the latest reporting, he said he supports amnesty, setting him apart from other GOP hopefuls who are pushing stricter immigration positions. The primary is scheduled for March 17, 2026.
Endorsements
Endorsers of John Elleson for IL-09 Republican nominee?
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board
Public figure
Chicago Tribune Editorial Board endorsed candidates in the 2026 Illinois primary election.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Fundraising