Polling Average
15%10%5%0%
10%
8%
5%
Democrat
Melissa Bean
Democrat
Melissa Bean
IL-08 Democratic nominee?
$92.7K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer U.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age64 years old (Jan 22, 1962)
GenderFemale
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LocationIllinois
BackgroundPolitician
EducationOakton Community College — A.A. (1982)
Notable personal detailsMelissa Bean is an American politician and business executive who served as the U.S. representative for Illinois’s 8th congressional district from 2005 to 2011. She previously worked as president of a home-based sales consulting business and later led the Executives’ Club of Chicago. In March 2026, she won the Democratic primary for Illinois’s 8th Congressional District.
SourcesShowHide
govinfo.govchicago.suntimes.comen.wikipedia.orgprnewswire.comwikidata.orgaxios.comgovprofiles.comelectionline.orgbluevoterguide.orgthechicagonetwork.orgcbsnews.comstanfordvotes.orgnews.wttw.comk12irc.orglwvchicago.orgaclu-mn.orgjustfacts.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcoehuman.uodiyala.edu.iqthenewamerican.comcagw.orgrepbio.orgcongress.govnbcchicago.comupi.comvotesmart.orgontheissues.orglcv.orgdailyherald.comrollcall.commelissabeanforcongress.comhozzl.comnypost.comwashingtonpost.comfoxnews.comballotready.orglatimes.comstatic.votesmart.orgcontext-cdn.washingtonpost.comclerk.house.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgfec.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports lower taxes for families and businesses and has voted for extending income-tax cuts and for business-oriented tax relief; has also supported measures to reduce government spending and limit earmarks. Positions reflect a pro-growth, pro-business approach to taxation while also voting for stimulus measures during the financial crisis.
Healthcare
Supports major expansions in access to coverage and voted to pass the 2009 health care reform legislation; favors measures to reduce costs and make it easier for small businesses and individuals to obtain insurance. Backed policies such as offering tax credits, patient protections, and options to expand Medicare eligibility.
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Immigration & Border
Melissa Bean has said the nation is strengthened by legal immigration but has emphasized the need to secure the nation’s borders. Public records and interest-group ratings show mixed signals on immigration policy and do not present a clear endorsement of either an enforcement-first or an expansive regularization approach.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports a woman's right to choose as outlined in Roe v. Wade and has a pro-choice voting record; opposed measures to restrict abortion access and received high ratings from pro-choice groups.
Climate & Energy
Supports federal action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and expand clean energy; voted for major climate legislation (the American Clean Energy and Security Act) and backed renewable energy measures while opposing drilling in Lake Michigan. Holds a pro-environment voting record and received high scores from environmental groups.
Public Safety & Guns
Melissa Bean has supported expanded gun-safety measures including background checks and renewing restrictions on certain semi-automatic firearms, and she voted against legislation to restore broader gun rights in the District of Columbia. Her historical voting record and responses on candidate questionnaires indicate support for strengthening enforcement of federal gun-purchase rules and safety measures.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMay 20, 2026
Melissa Bean has won the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District, putting the former congresswoman in position to try to reclaim the seat. Her comeback campaign was backed by a strong fundraising edge and support from AIPAC, and she ran as a pragmatic alternative in a crowded field. The district has been moving left in recent years, which makes the general election contest worth watching.
govinfo.gov+41
Polls
IL-08 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.8M
$1.3M
$882.1K
$441.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.8M
$47.5K
$1.7M
$114.4K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements