Ed
Hershey
Working Class Party candidate for IL-4; Chicago high school science teacher and CTU representative
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 1
Background
Ed Hershey is a science teacher at Lindblom High School in Chicago and a Chicago Teachers Union representative running as the Working Class Party candidate for Illinois's 4th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. 598
Originally from Buffalo, New York, Hershey came to Chicago to attend the University of Chicago, where he earned a bachelor's degree in physics and a master's degree in physical science. He has taught at Lindblom for a number of years and has served as a union representative. 208
Hershey has no prior elected office. He ran for Chicago's 25th Ward alderman in 2015 but finished fourth. 9 He is not the incumbent; the seat was previously held by Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García, who is not seeking reelection. 17
Hershey's campaign is affiliated with the Working Class Party, which describes his candidacy as rooted in working-class and labor organizing principles. 814
At a glance
- Party
- Working Class Party
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 4, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Science Teacher, Lindblom High School; Chicago Teachers Union Representative
- Website
- workingclassfight.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 5newsCBS News Chicago identifies Hershey as science teacher and CTU representative in candidate roundup
CBS News Chicago's guide to Chicago-area congressional races identified Hershey as a science teacher and Chicago Teachers Union representative running as the Working Class Party candidate in IL-04.
Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 4endorsementChicago Tribune editorial board declines to endorse in IL-04, notes Hershey's 'presence and consistency'
The Chicago Tribune editorial board announced no endorsement in the IL-04 race. In its editorial, it noted that it appreciated Hershey's 'presence and consistency of views,' though this was explicitly not an endorsement.
Editorial: No endorsement for US House of Representatives in District 4 · Oct 4, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 1newsSun-Times profile identifies Hershey as 16-year Lindblom teacher and CTU rep
The Chicago Sun-Times published a candidate profile reporting that Hershey teaches at Lindblom Math and Science Academy, has done so for 16 years, and has served as a Chicago Teachers Union representative.
What to know about the 4th Congressional District race ... · Oct 1, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29debateHershey participates in Fox 32 debate, opposes Iran war and both major parties
Hershey joined García, Castillo, and Getty in a televised Fox 32 debate. He stated he would not caucus with either major party if elected and opposed the Iran war, which he said was pursued by 'Trump and Democrats alike' and was driving inflation. He was quoted: 'Both parties really set themselves against the working class, and I won't align with either of them.'
Illinois 4th Congressional District debate · Sep 29, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Mar 1newsHershey runs unopposed in Working Class Party primary for IL-04
CBS News Chicago reported that Hershey ran unopposed in the Working Class Party primary in March 2026, securing his place on the November 3 general election ballot.
Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Nov 3, 2025filingEd Hershey files as Working Class Party candidate for IL-04 general election
Candidate Alerts records November 3, 2025 as Hershey's filing date as a Working Class Party candidate for Illinois' 4th Congressional District.
Edward Hershey (Minor party) — U.S. Representative, IL-04 · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- International Communist League (Fourth Internationalist) / Workers Vanguard organizationWorkers Vanguard article titled "Vote Working Class! Vote Ed Hershey!" calls on readers to support him. iclfi.org · Mar 17, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House IL-04 · WC | Lost | 4,605 | 3.5% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Sources 10
- [1] Voter Guide Profile for IL U.S. Rep., Dist. 4 candidate - Ed ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [3] Editorial: No endorsement for US House of Representatives in District 4(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [4] What to know about the 4th Congressional District race ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [5] Ed Hershey - Candidate Profile - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [6] Candidates for 'Chuy' Garcia's seat in Congress face off in ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [7] Illinois 4th Congressional District debate(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [8] Edward Hershey (Minor party) — U.S. Representative, IL-04(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [9] Ed Hershey — 2026 Illinois's 4th Congressional District Election | Smarter.Vote(opens in a new tab) Apr 9, 2026
- [10] Vote Working Class! Vote Ed Hershey! | Workers Vanguard(opens in a new tab) Mar 17, 2026