Marter, Vician To Vie For Republican Nomination In 14th Congressional District Of IL: Election 2026

NAPERVILLE, IL — Two candidates are vying to get the Republican nomination in the race for Illinois's 14th Congressional District in the 2026 Primary Election.

James Marter and Gary Vician will face off on March 17, with the winning candidate hoping to unseat incumbent Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL, 14) on Nov. 3.

Krystal Dorey is running as a write-in candidate.

Below, you'll find information about each Republican candidate and where they stand on some of the current political issues.

James Marter

James Marter, who won the Republican Primary in 2024 against Charlie Kim by a wide margin, is back in the running again in the hopes of challenging Underwood in the general election.

A self-described conservative, Marter earned a bachelor's degree in industrial science from Purdue University, along with a minor in computer science.

His background includes serving as the Kendall County Republican Chairman, Deputy on the Illinois 14th District Republican State Central Committee and an advisory board member for the Illinois Conservative Union.

Marter has also volunteered as a scout leader and a member of the education commission at his church.

Per his campaign website, Marter's platform is anti-abortion, "pro-family," and in favor of Second Amendment rights.

Below is a brief summary of Marter's stance on some current political issues, according to his website.

Immigration

Marter supports securing the border and is in favor of enforcing current laws to regulate immigration. He also hopes to "end harmful practices putting us at risk," his website states.

He writes, "Bad policies have created a humanitarian crisis for immigrants, a disaster for American workers and increased threats to our national security. There are risks to our health, the integrity of our elections, the safety of our neighborhoods and even terrorism. With widespread sex trafficking, drug smuggling, gang violence and opioid addiction, we need leaders with courage."

Foreign Policy

Marter's campaign supports an "America-first" approach to foreign policy.

His website states, "We need people of integrity representing us, who can set aside their desire for political power and personal enrichment, and advance the interests and security of the United States of America."

Health Care

Jim Marter supports repealing the Affordable Care Act. His website states that he believes the Affordable Care Act has limited health care choices for Americans and led to "dramatically higher prices."

Economy

Per his website, Marter is in favor of smart trade policy and free market principles. He writes, "The government should not politicize industries, picking winners and threatening competition."

Gary Vician

Gary Vician is a retired science teacher and has been a member of Naperville Noon Lions Club, Naperville Rotary and the Exchange Club of Naperville.

He was elected as a trustee in Addison Township in 1985 and 1989 and as a Naperville Township trustee in 1997, 2001 and 2005.

Vician was Naperville Township Supervisor from 2009 to 2013.

Per his campaign website, Vician is running for Congress because he's "sick of watching good people get squeezed while Washington protects the big and the connected."

His platform focuses on limiting career politicians with term limits, supporting small Illinois farms and businesses and defending the Second Amendment.

Immigration

Vician's website states that he supports securing the border between the United States and Mexico. He says the border is "flooding our state with drugs and chaos."

Economy

According to Vician's campaign site, he believes the United States should stop outsourcing factory jobs and other means of production.

Vician's website asserts that he will "bring manufacturing back to our factories, re-allocate subsidies to protect our generational family farms, and make Illinois the place companies want to grow again."

He is also in favor of relying more on energy resources in Illinois to create more jobs and "end our dependence on foreign dictators for the energy that keeps our homes warm and our factories running."

Term Limits

Vician supports a Constitutional amendment that would impose stricter term limits on federal judges, representatives, Cabinet members and "agency heads," per his campaign site.

He writes, "Washington is full of people who never have to face the voters again—career politicians, lifetime judges, and political appointees who stay in power for decades."

Krystal Dorey

Krystal Dorey is running as a write-in candidate.

Election Info For Voters

Early voting began Feb. 5 in several locations throughout Illinois.

On Election Day, March 17, the polls will open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. Voters who are in line by 7 p.m. will be able to cast their ballots.

Illinois voters can click the link to find their polling place.