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Republican

R.Cary Capparelli

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Illinois

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Republican

R.Cary Capparelli

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in Illinois

Website

Illinois Republican Senate nominee?

$136.3K

MAR 24, 2026

Primary Election

Party selects its nominee.

3 more

Live Odds — Illinois Republican Senate nominee?

Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.

1%chance to win

$136.3K

MAR 24, 2026

Candidate Overview

Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.

Current roleOnline geography instructor (South Dakota State University)

PartyRepublican

Political ideologyConservative Republican

LocationIllinois

BackgroundOnline geography instructor (South Dakota State University)

Notable personal detailsR. Cary Capparelli is a Republican political candidate in Illinois who ran in the 2026 Republican primary for U.S. Senate. He previously served as a gubernatorial appointee to the Illinois International Port District Board, with a term that included 2006–2009. He has also been listed as an online geography instructor at South Dakota State University and as president of OMNI-Communique.

SourcesShow

docquery.fec.gov ilga.gov news.wttw.com chicago.suntimes.com vote-usa.org lasallecountyil.gov cms5.revize.com applications.kanecountyil.gov mchenrycountyil.gov jacksoncounty-il.gov ipmnewsroom.org vermiliontimes.com en.wikipedia.org ricogop.org news.kalshi.com electionhistory.madisoncountyil.gov coindesk.com dockets.justia.com arxiv.org rcarycapparelli.net sjodaily.com einnews.com justfacts.votesmart.org kanegop.org will.illinois.edu caryillinois.com dailyherald.com marquardtco.com mchenrycountyblog.com sdstate.edu cary.health mahometdaily.com military.einnews.com ballotpedia.org localcandidates.org capitolnewsillinois.com evanstonroundtable.com cbsnews.com sj-r.com chicagotribune.com stlpr.org facebook.com fec.gov ballotready.org senate.gov durbin.senate.gov

Political Positions

LiberalConservative

Healthcare

Supports making healthcare available and affordable for all Americans and identifies mental health as a crisis; does not provide detailed policy prescriptions such as support for Medicare for All, a public option, or specific market-based reforms in the cited materials.

Immigration & Border

Supports preventing illegal entry and maintaining secure borders, framing immigration as a national security and law-and-order issue. Emphasizes enforcement measures and homeland-security-focused oversight rather than proposals for expanded legal pathways or broad regularization.

Abortion & Reproductive Rights

The candidate has received endorsements and ratings from pro‑life organizations and has been rated 100% by Illinois Right to Life Action, indicating opposition to abortion access and alignment with restrictionist positions. The campaign website does not include an explicit policy statement on abortion.

Climate & Energy

The candidate emphasizes safe water management, flood/runoff solutions, and describes his approach to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District as “ecology-friendly yet fiscally responsible.” His campaign priorities list general goals like economic strength and national security but do not present a clear, detailed policy on climate or energy transitions.

Public Safety & Guns

The candidate emphasizes support for police and addressing mental-health crises as part of public-safety priorities but does not state a clear, detailed firearms policy on his campaign site. Past interest-group ratings show a mixed record on gun issues (for example, a 42% NRA rating in 2020).

Latest News

AINews Summary

Last updatedJul 15, 2026

R. Cary Capparelli is in the news as part of the crowded Illinois primary season, with the March 17 election drawing heavy early voting and intense competition across congressional races. The race is happening amid a wave of retirements that has opened several seats and brought a large field of candidates into the primary. Coverage around the election also notes major spending and heightened voter attention in Illinois contests.

docquery.fec.gov+45

Articles

N5NBC 5 Chicago6 months ago