Meredith Shiner
Meredith Shiner
Illinois Democratic Senate nominee?
$1.5M
MAR 18, 2026
Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleJournalist
Political ideologyProgressive Independent
LocationIllinois
BackgroundJournalist
EducationDuke University — B.A., Political Science
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Notable personal detailsMeredith Shiner is a Chicago-based communications consultant and freelance journalist who previously covered Congress and national politics in Washington, D.C. She has served as an appointed lecturer at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy since 2021. Shiner is a contributing editor at The New Republic and has written for outlets including Politico, Roll Call, and Congressional Quarterly.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate has publicly criticized legislation that would criminalize medical providers and restrict reproductive-health decision-making, describing a personal pregnancy experience to argue against punitive bans. She frames these laws as threats to patient–doctor decision-making and reproductive-health care.
News
Meredith Shiner is in the news as part of the crowded Illinois primary season, where several open congressional races are drawing heavy attention and turnout has been strong. The 9th District race is especially competitive, with early voting and mail ballots up compared with past years. Recent reporting also highlights election-related concerns in Illinois, including a USPS postmark policy change that could affect mail-in ballots.
Suburban voters turn out in key Congressional primary battles
Chicago and suburban Democratic voters more likely to vote for candidates who fought ICE, poll finds
The Tribune’s Quotes of the Week quiz for March 14
Illinois sees a candidate frenzy for March primary
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Polls
- Endorsements
- Fundraising