Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
24.3%
17.0%
12.6%
8.1%
6.2%
Democrat
Sam Polan
Democrat
Sam Polan
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
$1.1M
MAR 24, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Army (veteran)
PartyDemocratic
GenderMale
LocationIllinois
BackgroundU.S. Army (veteran)
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EducationMaster's, American University, International Relations (2018)
Notable personal detailsSam Polan is a Democratic candidate who ran for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District in the 2026 cycle. He is a U.S. Army veteran and has worked in national security roles, including as a NORAD and U.S. Northern Command strategy/policy/plans liaison and as an intelligence analyst at Booz Allen Hamilton. He was a candidate in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary for IL-09, which was won by Daniel Biss.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govwbez.orgballotready.orgchicago.suntimes.comsampolan.comil9.orgen.wikipedia.orgaxios.comshawlocal.combrianburns.comcbsnews.comcongress.govsamronan.compolitico.comapnews.cominstagram.comevanstonnow.comblockclubchicago.orgnews.medill.northwestern.edudailyherald.comchicagotribune.comballotpedia.orgbluevoterguide.orgfacebook.comfitzpatrick.house.govdemocrats-transportation.house.govtransportation.house.govsherman.house.govtransition.fec.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orghistory.house.govru.wikipedia.orgdurbin.senate.govdocquery.fec.govcdn.ballotpedia.org
Positions
LiberalConservative
Healthcare
Supports universal access to healthcare while opposing a single‑payer model that would eliminate private insurance; favors building on and expanding the Affordable Care Act, protecting Medicare and Medicaid, strengthening home- and community-based services, lowering costs through oversight and price controls, and expanding mental‑health access and parity enforcement.
Immigration & Border
The candidate has criticized ICE actions in at least one campaign statement, calling for transparent investigations and accountability following an ICE shooting. Other campaign communications note that instability abroad (e.g., Venezuela) can drive migration and stress the need for diplomatic and humanitarian strategies, but the campaign does not appear to present a detailed platform on asylum, border enforcement, or pathways to legal status.
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Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Supports restoring federal protections for reproductive rights and codifying the right to abortion in federal law. Describes abortion as healthcare and says decisions about abortion belong between patients and doctors, not politicians.
Climate & Energy
Supports practical, data-driven climate solutions that invest in clean energy, modernize the electric grid, create good-paying jobs, and protect communities while avoiding policies that unduly punish working families. Emphasizes investment in clean energy and grid modernization as part of a broader policy platform. (Position expressed in campaign materials and candidate profiles.)
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate is a gun owner and supports the Second Amendment while endorsing stronger gun safety measures, including background checks, closing loopholes, enforcing red-flag laws, and restricting access to weapons designed for war. The candidate frames these policies as compatible with protecting public safety and constitutional rights.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Sam Polan is in the news because of the crowded Illinois 9th District Democratic primary, where 15 candidates are competing to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The race has drawn heavy attention as votes were counted and early voting in Chicago ran well ahead of previous primaries. Coverage around the contest has also focused on broader Democratic factional tensions and questions about representation in the district.
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Articles
N5NBC 5 Chicago4 months ago
Illinois 9th District U.S. House: Live election results
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago5 months ago
See who will be on your ballot in the Illinois primary election
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune6 months ago
Illinois 9th District race tests long Jewish legacy
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CTChicago Tribune4 months ago
What to know for Tuesday's election
Neutral
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Endorsers of Sam Polan for IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Illinois Veterans for Change
Public endorsement
Illinois Veterans for Change endorsed Sam Polan.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$377.4K
$283.1K
$188.7K
$94.4K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$377.4K
$0.00
$377.4K
$19.9K
Source: FEC