4 Candidates Vying For Republican Nomination In 11th District Race: Illinois Election 2026

LEMONT, IL — Four candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in the race for the U.S. Representative, 11th District, race in the March 17 primary. One candidate, the incumbent Bill Foster, is running for the Democrats.

The 11th Congressional District represents 766,584 people, according to the United States Census Bureau. The District includes all or parts of Naperville, Bolingbrook, Downers Grove, Romeoville, St. Charles, Aurora, Lemont, Burr Ridge, Lisle, Woodridge, Joliet, Oswego and Yorkville.

The Republican candidates:

• Jeff Walter - Walter is a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, businessman, and current Mayor of Elburn. "Jeff trusts President Trump—who already delivered one of the greatest economies in history—to do it again, and he supports Trump’s America First economic plan, including tariffs that protect American workers," his website states.
• Michael Pierce - LTC (ret.) Pierce lives in Naperville, and joined the U.S. Army in 1992. He retired from active duty in 2012, but continued to work as a civilian contractor. "An optimist, Mike believes that we can all find some middle ground and find value in all people. Mike’s leadership philosophy is summed up in these words: Accountability, bearing, commitment, discipline, enthusiasm and faith in God!" his website states.
• Tedora Brown - "My story isn't typical for a congressional candidate. I'm not a career politician. I'm a mom who got fed up with the direction our country was heading and decided to do something about it," her website states. Brown is a Palos Park resident; her name was placed back on the ballot after an Illinois appeal court decision reversed a previous ruling that removed her from the ballot due to nominating signature issues. Brown is also facing 13 counts of wire fraud charges, and is accused of fraudulently obtaining thousands of dollars in small business loans and grants in COVID-relief funds. Her husband, who was also charged, pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud last year and was sentenced to six years in prison.
• Charlie Kim - Founder of a global business advisory network, and has advised on trade, law and national security, according to his website. "Charlie believes that the role of government is to empower families, strengthen communities, and protect the freedoms that make America strong. He is determined to make a difference by common-sense acts in creating new legislation and improving laws, devoting all effort to our cause as your representative in Congress," his website states.

The Democratic candidate:

• Bill Foster (incumbent) - Foster has served in the IL-11 District since 2013. In the 118th Congress, Foster returned to the House Financial Services Committee, was appointed to the Speakers' Artificial Intelligence Task Force, and continued as the Democratic co-chair of the House Research and Redevelopment Caucus, the National Laboratories Caucus and the Inventions Caucus. Before his career in politics, Foster previously worked as a physicist at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

The polls close at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The Republican candidate who wins the nomination will face off against Foster in November.