Polling Average
15%10%5%0%
10%
8%
5%
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
EducationMaine East High School (1980)
Notable personal detailsMelissa Luburich Bean is an American politician and business executive who represented Illinois’s 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2005 to 2011. She served on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Small Business, including as chair of the Small Business Subcommittee on Finance and Tax in the 110th Congress. After leaving Congress, she worked in executive and leadership roles including at JPMorgan Chase and later in wealth management at Mesirow Financial.
SourcesShowHide
history.house.govfec.goven.wikipedia.orgwikidata.orgmelissabeanforcongress.comlinkedin.comsengov.comuk.linkedin.comat.linkedin.comca.linkedin.comkw.linkedin.comil.linkedin.comen-academic.comthemidtermproject.orggiffords.orggovinfo.govdocquery.fec.govjustfacts.votesmart.orgcagw.orgrepbio.orgcongress.govnbcchicago.comupi.comvotesmart.orgontheissues.orglcv.orgdailyherald.comrollcall.comhozzl.comnypost.comchicagotribune.cominstagram.comnewdemactionfund.comwbez.orgpolitico.comchicago.suntimes.comcapitolnewsillinois.comdecisiondeskhq.substack.comjewishinsider.compunchbowl.newsjewishcurrents.orgvive.clickprospect.orgpredictionedge.comhuffpost.comfacebook.comdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgfr.wikipedia.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgcha.house.govwhitehouse.senate.govdurbin.senate.govballotready.orgreed.senate.govclerk.house.govtransition.fec.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 updatedJul 15, 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. Reports say she had a strong fundraising edge and won with support from AIPAC and AI-related funding. Her campaign emphasized pragmatism in a crowded field that included more progressive rivals.
history.house.gov+56
Polls
IL-08 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
IL-08 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Melissa Bean for IL-08 Democratic nominee?
Emily's List
Public endorsement
Emily's List endorsed Melissa Bean in Illinois' 8th District.
Daily Herald editorial board
Public endorsement
Daily Herald editorial board endorsed Melissa Bean in the Illinois 8th District Democratic primary.
The Chicago Tribune editorial board
Public endorsement
The Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Melissa Bean for the Democratic nomination in Illinois' 8th Congressional District.
New Democrat Coalition Action Fund
Political organization
New Democrat Coalition Action Fund endorsed Melissa Bean in Illinois' 8th District.
Sen. Tammy Duckworth
Public endorsement
Sen. Tammy Duckworth endorsed Melissa Bean for Congress.
Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch
Elected official
Speaker Emmanuel "Chris" Welch endorsed Melissa Bean for Illinois' 8th District.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$2.1M
$1.6M
$1.0M
$517.8K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$2.1M
$144.5K
$1.9M
$107.0K
Source: FEC