Jeff
Wilson
Republican Jeff Wilson, Navy veteran and nuclear engineer, challenges Democratic incumbent in Illinois' 13th Congressional District (2026)
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 18
Background
Jeff Wilson is the Republican candidate challenging Democratic incumbent Nikki Budzinski in Illinois' 13th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. He lives in Mahomet, Illinois, and has been serving on the Champaign County Board, District 1, since 2022; a county agenda from September 2026 identifies him as a retiring board member. 16141618
Before entering local politics, Wilson served in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear-submarine crew member and later worked in the nuclear energy industry, including engineering leadership at Clinton Nuclear Power Station. He holds a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois. 11131518
Wilson's campaign platform focuses on energy production, economic issues, and an "America First" agenda. He advanced to the general election after winning the Republican primary, as reported by Illinois Public Media in March 2026. 281819
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 13, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Champaign County Board Member (District 1)
- Website
- wilsonforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 15filingIllinois State Board of Elections September 2026 quarterly campaign-finance report deadline approaching
The Illinois State Board of Elections set October 15 as the deadline for the September 2026 quarterly campaign-finance report. As of October 12, the deadline had not yet passed and no new filing from Wilson had been reported.
Illinois State Board of Elections Press Releases · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6endorsementChicago Tribune editorial board endorses incumbent Budzinski over Wilson in IL-13 race
The Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Democratic incumbent Nikki Budzinski over Republican challenger Jeff Wilson for the U.S. House seat in Illinois' 13th District.
Editorial: Nikki Budzinski for US House of Representatives in District 13 · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsWilson discusses energy, economy, Iran, and political civility in Edwardsville Intelligencer interview
In an interview published October 5, Wilson emphasized lowering costs, expanding domestic energy (including nuclear and refinery capacity), securing the border, and supporting agriculture. He said he supports executive action to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon and favors keeping the House at 435 members and the Supreme Court at nine justices.
Republican Jeff Wilson discusses energy, Congress, economy, and Iran · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3endorsementIllinois Family Action endorses Jeff Wilson for U.S. House District 13 in 2026 general election
Illinois Family Action listed Wilson as its endorsed candidate for U.S. House District 13 in its 2026 general-election endorsements published October 3.
2026 General Election Endorsements · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2debateCandidate forum at Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville announced for October 5 with Wilson and Budzinski
A League of Women Voters forum at the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville was announced, with Wilson and Budzinski listed among candidates who had agreed to participate as of September 24. The announcement does not confirm what was said or attendance.
Candidate forum set Oct. 5 at Wildey Theatre · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingWilson reports $348,237 in receipts and $12,241 cash on hand through June 30 FEC filing period
FEC filings through June 30 show Wilson's campaign receipts at $348,237, disbursements at $335,996, and cash on hand at $12,241, compared to incumbent Budzinski's $2,885,018 in receipts and $2,625,565 cash on hand for the same period.
Illinois' 13th District Race 2026: Who's Running (IL-13) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Illinois Citizens for Life, PAC organizationListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Kathy Salvi, Illinois Republican Party Chair officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Congressman Mike Bost (IL-12) officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Illinois State Senator Chapin Rose officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Illinois College Republicans organizationListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Congressional Republican Organization of Illinois organizationListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Illinois RNC Committeeman Dean White officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Illinois RNC Committeewoman Rhonda Belford officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- 13th District State Central Committeewoman Cindy Lamar officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Champaign County Republican Women organizationListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Macoupin County GOP Chair Kristi Dunnagan officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Piatt County GOP Chair Jim Ayers officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Sangamon County GOP Chair Dianne Hardwick officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Champaign County GOP Chair Jeff Brownfield officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Madison County Treasurer Michael Babcock officialListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Illinois Republican Party organizationListed on Wilson's campaign endorsement page; no individual endorsement date provided. wilsonforcongress.com
- Pro-Family Alliance organizationWilson's campaign page includes a 'Pro-Family Alliance Endorsement Letter'; no date stated in the page text. wilsonforcongress.com
- Illinois Family Action organizationWilson's campaign lists the group; IFA's own general-election announcement dated October 3, 2026 states its board endorsed Wilson for U.S. House District 13. illinoisfamilyaction.org · Oct 3, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $348K
- Spent
- $336K
- Cash on hand
- $12K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6IL13154(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] ISSUES | Jeff Wilson(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [2] Jeff Wilson - Candidate Profile - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [3] Editorial: Nikki Budzinski for US House of Representatives in District 13(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Illinois State Board of Elections Press Releases(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] Republican Jeff Wilson discusses energy, Congress, economy, and Iran(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [6] 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] Illinois' 13th District Race 2026: Who's Running (IL-13)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [8] Candidate forum set Oct. 5 at Wildey Theatre(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [9] ENDORSEMENTS | Jeff Wilson(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
- [10] GOP congressional candidate Jeff Wilson on tariffs, energy ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 27, 2026