Jeff
Walter
Republican candidate for Illinois's 11th Congressional District; U.S. Navy veteran and Elburn village president since 2017
- sources
- 17
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 35
Background
Jeff Walter is a Republican candidate for U.S. Representative in Illinois's 11th Congressional District in the November 2026 election. He currently serves as village president (mayor) of Elburn, Illinois, a position he has held since 2017, and previously served as an Elburn village trustee from 2009 to 2017. 48
Before entering local politics, Walter served in the U.S. Navy, retiring as a Master Chief Petty Officer, and subsequently worked in technology and consulting. 48
Walter holds a B.S. in Finance from the University of South Florida, an M.S. in Manufacturing Management from the University of Toledo, and an MBA from the New York Institute of Technology. He lives in Elburn with his family. 8
Walter won the Republican primary for Illinois's 11th Congressional District and is the party's nominee for the seat currently held by incumbent Democrat Bill Foster. 47
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 11, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Village President (Mayor) of Elburn, Illinois
- Website
- jeffwalterforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 9newsWalter outlines policy priorities in Downers Grove Wire questionnaire
In answers published by Downers Grove Wire, Walter named federal fiscal responsibility as his top priority, supporting enforceable spending caps and a path to a balanced budget. He also described an 'all-of-the-above' energy strategy, called for healthcare price transparency and pharmacy-benefit-manager reform, and advocated border security alongside legal immigration modernization.
Walter seeks 11th District U.S. House seat | Downers Grove Wire · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6endorsementChicago Tribune editorial board endorses Foster over Walter for IL-11 general election
The Tribune editorial board, which had previously endorsed Walter in the Republican primary, chose Democratic incumbent Bill Foster for the general election. The board cited Foster's record and qualifications in making its decision.
Editorial: Bill Foster for US House of Representatives in District 11 · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3endorsementIllinois Family Action endorses Jeff Walter in IL-11 general election
Illinois Family Action listed Walter as its endorsed candidate in the 11th District as part of its 2026 general election endorsements, published October 3 and updated October 8.
2026 General Election Endorsements · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsWalter backs congressional authorization for prolonged war with Iran, with caveats
In an emailed statement, Walter said he would support requiring congressional authorization for a prolonged or expanding war with Iran, while objecting to any language that would prevent the president from responding to an imminent attack.
Jeff Walter backs congressional authorization for prolonged war with Iran but would judge any resolution by its language · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsWalter states opposition to sanctuary states and cities in candidate survey
In a published candidate survey, Walter answered 'Yes' to opposing sanctuary states and cities, writing that state and local governments should cooperate with federal immigration authorities, especially in cases involving undocumented individuals who have committed serious crimes.
Candidate Survey 2026: Do you oppose sanctuary states and cities? | STARRS · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingWalter's FEC fundraising snapshot: $311K raised, $23K cash on hand, 54% self-funded
Federal Election Commission figures compiled by Project Curia show Walter had raised $311,000 with $23,000 cash on hand through June 30. Approximately 54% of his receipts came from self-funding.
Jeff Walter, Illinois House, District 11 candidate · Sep 26, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Mar 17newsJeff Walter wins Republican primary for IL-11 with 42.6% of the vote
Walter defeated three other candidates in the Republican primary, receiving 42.6% of the vote. He became the Republican nominee against Democratic incumbent Bill Foster in the November 3 general election.
Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Bob Mankivsky (Kaneland School Board President) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Ron Hain (Kane County Sheriff) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Addam Gonzales (Elburn Trustee) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Marty Mohr (McHenry County Board candidate) otherListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Kevin Poust (Virgil Township Trustee) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Jeff Keicher (State Representative) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Chris Hansen officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Dan Ugaste (State Representative) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Matt Wilson officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Eric Hendricks (McHenry County Board) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Chris Rebone (Mayor of Maple Park) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Lou Santoyo (Elburn Trustee) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Dean White (Illinois RNC Committeeperson) otherListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- ABATE of Illinois FEDPAC organizationListed Walter among its 2026 federal-election endorsed candidates. The organization states its ratings and endorsements are based on 'MOTORCYCLISTS' RIGHTS AND ISSUES ONLY.' No specific endorsement date is given. abate-il.org
- Guy Zambetti (Mayor of Gilberts) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- John Bolger (Elburn Trustee) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Andro Lerario (former Kane County GOP Chairman) otherListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Federation of Illinois Young Republicans organizationListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Mike Reid (Mayor of Hampshire) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Megan Mussano (Elburn Trustee) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Jerry Evans (former 11th District congressional candidate) otherListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Illinois Congressional Republican Organization organizationListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Kelly Diehl (Mayor of Lily Lake) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Rick Williams (Kane County Board) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Independent Voters of Illinois–Independent Precinct Organization organizationListed among Walter's endorsements on an iVoterGuide profile; no date or primary announcement confirming it was found. ivoterguide.com
- Tim Hoeft (Mayor of Huntley) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- John Jonak (Kane County Regional Superintendent of Schools) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Don DeWitte (State Senator) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Jamie LeBlanc (Mayor of Virgil) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- David Geisen (Virgil Township Trustee) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Sue Rezin (State Senator) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Randy Ramey (Wayne Township Supervisor) officialListed as an endorser on Walter's campaign page; no individual endorsement date is given. jeffwalterforcongress.com
- Illinois Family Action organizationEndorsed Walter for the November 3, 2026 general election. A later version of the endorsement list appeared October 3, 2026. illinoisfamilyaction.org · Sep 30, 2026
- Daily Herald Editorial Board newspaperEndorsed Walter for the Republican primary. The paper's editorial said, 'Our choice is Walter.' This was a primary-election endorsement, not a general-election endorsement. dailyherald.com · Feb 23, 2026
- Chicago Tribune Editorial Board newspaperEndorsed Walter for the Republican primary. The board said, 'He has our endorsement.' This was a primary-election endorsement, not a general-election endorsement. chicagotribune.com · Feb 11, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $311K
- Spent
- $289K
- Cash on hand
- $23K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6IL11166(opens in a new tab)
Sources 17
- [1] Jeff Walter - Illinois - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Voter Guide Profile for IL U.S. Representative, District 11 ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Walter seeks 11th District U.S. House seat | Downers Grove Wire(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [4] Editorial: Bill Foster for US House of Representatives in District 11(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] Who is running for the U.S. House in the Chicago area ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] Positions — Jeff Walter for Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [8] ABATE of Illinois, Inc(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] IFA’s 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [10] Jeff Walter backs congressional authorization for prolonged war with Iran but would judge any resolution by its language(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [11] Endorsements — Jeff Walter for Congress(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [12] Jeff Walter, Illinois House, District 11 candidate(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [13] Candidate Survey 2026: Do you oppose sanctuary states and cities? | STARRS(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [14] GOP congressional candidates: End grace period for mailed ballots(opens in a new tab) Mar 9, 2026
- [15] Daily Herald endorsement: Jeff Walter for GOP in 11th ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 23, 2026
- [16] Editorial: Jeff Walter for Illinois 11th Congressional District Republican primary(opens in a new tab) Feb 11, 2026
- [17] 2026 Election Questionnaire: Jeff Walter, U.S. House ... - Shaw Local(opens in a new tab) Feb 6, 2026