Global Strategy Group
8%6%4%2%0%
5%
IL-02 Democratic nominee?
$87.5K
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleState Senator
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
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BackgroundPolitician
EducationB.A., Social Sciences, Kansas State University
Notable personal detailsRobert James Peters is an Illinois State Senator (Democratic) representing the 13th Senate District, first appointed in January 2019 and subsequently elected. He has a background in community and political organizing and has worked on criminal justice reform issues, including legislation to end cash bail in Illinois. In May 2025, he filed to run for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govilga.goven.wikipedia.orgchicago.suntimes.comillinoisdelivered.comaxios.comipmnewsroom.orgharveyworld.orgapnews.comworkingfamilies.orgballotready.orgcbsnews.comcapitolfax.comweareprogressives.orgcwbchicago.comlinktr.eerobertpetersforcongress.comsenatorrobertpeters.comillinoissenatedemocrats.comcitizennewspapergroup.comchicagocitywire.commanhattan.institutejustfacts.votesmart.orgnbcnews.comstatic.votesmart.orgcdn.ballotpedia.orgnodeassets.nbcnews.competers.senate.govdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govdemocrats.senate.govclerk.house.govdurbin.senate.govziplook.house.govsenate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Supports progressive economic policies including raising the minimum wage, eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, expanding property tax relief for seniors, and advancing Medicare-for-All and other policies to expand government-provided health coverage and benefits for working families.
Healthcare
Supports Medicare for All and making quality health care a universal guarantee; proposes rolling back attacks on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and expanding Medicare’s ability to lower prescription drug prices. Has sponsored and led state legislation to curb predatory insurance practices, expand mental-health coverage, ban harmful short-term plans, and increase transparency and network adequacy in Illinois. These positions indicate support for major public expansions of coverage and stronger government regulation of insurers.
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Immigration & Border
Supports welcoming immigrant communities, condemns militarized immigration raids and federal actions that separate families, and frames Illinois policy as protecting asylum seekers and immigrant rights. Emphasizes humanitarian responses and opposes federal enforcement tactics perceived as cruel or divisive.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports protecting and expanding access to abortion and reproductive health care, opposes the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, and has voted for legislation to safeguard abortion access and related reproductive services in Illinois. States Illinois should remain a welcoming place for people seeking abortion care from hostile states and has called for federal protections for reproductive rights.
Climate & Energy
Supports ambitious clean-energy and environmental-justice policies, including co-sponsorship of the Clean Energy Jobs Act that aims to reduce Illinois’ dependence on fossil fuels to zero by 2050; has promoted offshore wind development and sponsored state bills to deploy non-combustible thermal energy networks to replace fossil-fuel heating. Has been recognized by environmental groups for a pro-environment voting record and advocacy for climate action.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports expanded gun-violence prevention programs, community-based intervention funding, and state-level measures to strengthen firearm-violence prevention; has sponsored legislation to expand the Office of Firearm Violence Prevention and to create licensing and accountability for firearms manufacturers. Emphasizes investing in community services and prevention rather than punitive approaches to reduce gun violence.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 12, 2026
Robert Peters is in the news because he is running in the crowded Democratic primary for Illinois’s 2nd Congressional District. The race has drawn heavy attention, with Peters competing against candidates including Donna Miller and Jesse Jackson Jr. Recent coverage says the contest is competitive and focused on issues like healthcare, infrastructure, and opposition to Donald Trump. The broader Illinois primary has also seen strong turnout and intense interest in open congressional seats.
fec.gov+34
Articles
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
Crowded Democratic primary in Illinois’ 2nd District race
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
As South Side Congressional race nears end, candidates attend town halls, self-defense class and funeral
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
What time do polls close in Illinois? What to know
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
Suburban voters turn out in key Congressional primary battles
Neutral
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$1.3M
$993.0K
$662.0K
$331.0K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$1.3M
$21.4K
$1.3M
$86.8K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements