Polling Average
30%25%20%15%10%5%0%
24.3%
17.0%
12.6%
8.1%
6.2%
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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EducationWashington College — B.A., Political Science
Notable personal detailsSam Polan is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District. He is a U.S. Army veteran and has described serving in air defense and later in special operations with multiple deployments to the Middle East. After military service, he worked in national security policy roles, including at the Pentagon and as an adviser to senior defense leadership. He has reported earning a B.A. in political science from Washington College and an M.A. in international relations from American University.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govchicago.suntimes.compatch.comsampolan.comaxios.comballotready.orgdailyherald.comidsnews.comil9.orgen.wikipedia.orgaidschicago.orgarxiv.orgjuf.orgshawlocal.comcbsnews.comcongress.govsamronan.compolitico.comapnews.comlinkedin.combusiness.linkedin.comnews.linkedin.comcdn.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govvoterguide.ballotpedia.orgdeveloper.ballotpedia.orglynch.house.govdemocrats-transportation.house.govtransition.fec.govcastro.house.govdurbin.senate.govclerk.house.gov
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 updatedJun 12, 2026
Sam Polan is in the news because of the crowded Democratic primary in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, where 15 candidates are competing to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The race has been part of a busy Illinois primary season with heavy spending and strong early turnout in Chicago. Recent coverage also highlights broader debate in the district over representation and the role of different communities in the race.
fec.gov+31
Articles
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
Illinois 9th District U.S. House: Live election results
Neutral
N5NBC 5 Chicago3 months ago
See who will be on your ballot in the Illinois primary election
Neutral
CTChicago Tribune4 months ago
Illinois 9th District race tests long Jewish legacy
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CTChicago Tribune3 months ago
What to know for Tuesday's election
Neutral
Polls
IL-09 Democratic nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
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
$22.2K
$355.3K
$23.7K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements