Incumbent
IL-13 Democratic nominee?
$7.6K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Representative
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyModerate Democrat
Age49 years old (Mar 11, 1977)
GenderFemale
Show moreShow less
LocationIllinois
BackgroundU.S. Representative
EducationUniversity of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (BA)
Notable personal detailsNicole Jai “Nikki” Budzinski is a Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving Illinois’s 13th Congressional District since 2023. She previously worked in organized labor and held government roles in Illinois state government and in the Biden administration, including serving as chief of staff to the director of the Office of Management and Budget in 2021. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and has served on the House Agriculture Committee and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
SourcesShowHide
Positions
Economy & Taxes
Supports targeted tax measures and tax credits to help working families and low-income households, and opposes large tax breaks for billionaires and corporations while defending funding for programs like Medicaid. Has voted for bipartisan legislation that expands the Child Tax Credit and for extending ACA premium tax credits. Advocates using tax policy to support affordable housing, research incentives, and programs that lower costs for families.
Healthcare
Supports expanding access to affordable health care through measures like a public option and strengthening/expanding Medicare benefits while opposing cuts to Medicaid and advocating to extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. Emphasizes lowering prescription drug prices and protecting community health centers and rural telemedicine access. Focuses on pragmatic expansions within the public program framework rather than endorsing single-payer Medicare for All.
Show moreShow less
Immigration & Border
Supports expanding legal pathways to legal status (including pathways for Dreamers, TPS holders, and worker visa reforms) while also backing additional resources for border security and technology rather than large-scale walls; opposes increased ICE funding without accountability and cosponsors measures to restrict excessive force and increase oversight. Advocates bipartisan, pragmatic reform to fix the asylum system and streamline legal immigration channels.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports abortion access and reproductive rights, describes herself as “pro-choice,” opposes national abortion bans, and favors codifying the protections of Roe v. Wade. States that decisions about abortion should be made between a patient and her doctor and has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood for her stance defending reproductive health care access.
Climate & Energy
Supports a pro-worker clean energy transition with federal investment in pollution monitoring, environmental justice, and climate jobs; advocates for policies that pair clean energy development with union job creation and environmental protections. Emphasizes reducing dependence on foreign energy while advancing renewable and biofuel technology and environmental justice programs.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports commonsense gun safety measures including closing the gun show loophole, universal background checks, red flag laws, and restricting military-style/assault weapons; has supported federal bills such as the Assault Weapons Ban and the Enhanced Background Checks Act. Balances support for gun-violence prevention with recognition of Second Amendment rights and backing for law enforcement funding and training.
Endorsements
Endorsers of Nikki Budzinski for IL-13 Democratic nominee?
Illinois AFL-CIO
Labor organization
Illinois AFL-CIO endorsed Nikki Budzinski in its 2026 primary election endorsements.
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Political organization
Planned Parenthood Action Fund endorsed Nikki Budzinski.
Stop Gun Violence
Public figure
Stop Gun Violence endorsed Nikki Budzinski in Illinois' 13th District.
Citizen Action/Illinois
Public endorsement
Citizen Action/Illinois endorsed Nikki Budzinski for Congress.
American Federation of Government Employees
Public endorsement
American Federation of Government Employees endorsed Nikki Budzinski for reelection to Congress.
Madison County Democrats
Public figure
United Steel Workers District 7 endorsed Nikki Budzinski.
Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans
Advocacy group
Illinois Alliance for Retired Americans endorsed Nikki Budzinski.
AFSCME Council 31
Public endorsement
AFSCME Council 31 endorsed Nikki Budzinski for the March 17 primary election.
United Steel Workers District 7
Public endorsement
United Steel Workers District 7 endorsed Nikki Budzinski.
Illinois Pipe Trades Association Executive Board
Advocacy group
Illinois Pipe Trades Association Executive Board endorsed Nikki Budzinski.
The Tribune Editorial Board
Public figure
The Tribune Editorial Board endorsed Nikki Budzinski in the 13th District congressional primary.
LCV Action Fund
Political organization
LCV Action Fund endorsed Nikki Budzinski for U.S. House.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 20262022
2024
2026
LatestCycle 2022
Cycle 2024
Cycle 2026
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- News
- Polls