Julie
Fortier
Julie Fortier, Democrat and Air Force veteran, challenges incumbent Mike Bost for Illinois's 12th Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 8
- positions
- 12
- endorsements
- 12
Background
Julie Fortier is a Democrat challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Bost for Illinois's 12th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election. She is a first-time candidate who lives in O'Fallon, Illinois, where she has resided for more than three decades. 156
Fortier earned undergraduate degrees in biology and mathematics from McKendree University and a Ph.D. in research pathology/biomedical science from Saint Louis University. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served four years and was stationed at Scott Air Force Base before settling in southwest Illinois. 614
Her career spans the biomedical field, including postdoctoral research and current work as a scientific writer supporting multiple-myeloma cancer research. She also spent roughly a decade volunteering in the O'Fallon Township school system. 156
Fortier announced her campaign in October 2025. The Federal Election Commission lists her as a challenger for the IL-12 seat. She has no prior elected public office on record in the sources reviewed. 1214
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 12, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Cancer research scientist / scientific writer
- Website
- juliefortier.org(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11endorsementFortier listed on Democrats Abroad Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus endorsement list
As of October 11, the Democrats Abroad Global Veterans and Military Families Caucus endorsement list included Julie Fortier as a supported candidate.
2026 Endorsed Candidates of the ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11newsFortier reports $145,608 raised, $103,473 spent, $42,135 cash on hand through September 30
A race-information page updated October 11 lists Fortier's FEC-reported fundraising through September 30: $145,608 raised, $103,473 spent, and $42,135 cash on hand. By contrast, opponent Mike Bost reported $1,327,225 raised and $789,999 cash on hand, though his figures run only through June 30, making a direct comparison unreliable.
Illinois' 12th District Race 2026: Who's Running (IL-12) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6endorsementChicago Tribune editorial board endorses Bost over Fortier in IL-12 race
The October 6 Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Republican Rep. Mike Bost rather than Fortier. The editorial quoted Fortier on affordability as the district's biggest issue and attributed to her support for Supreme Court term limits, universal health care, abolishing ICE, and removing the Social Security contributions cap.
Editorial: Mike Bost for US House of Representatives in ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsFortier tells Tribune affordability is district's biggest issue, calls for tariff removal and living wage
In the context of the Tribune editorial board's endorsement process, Fortier stated: 'We need to ensure tariffs are removed on imported items, gas and electricity are affordable and most importantly that people are paid a living wage.'
Editorial: Mike Bost for US House of Representatives in ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22endorsementFortier endorsed by Progressive Democrats of America
The September 22 Southwest Illinois News regional guide reported that Fortier received an endorsement from Progressive Democrats of America.
Southwest Illinois Republicans: Here's who's on your Nov. 3 ballot - SW Illinois News · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22filingFortier confirmed as Democratic challenger on November 3 general-election ballot
September 22 regional guides (Southwest Illinois News and STLPR) identified the November 3 contest as Bost versus Fortier, establishing her as the Democratic challenger on the general-election ballot, though no formal certification date was stated.
Southwest Illinois Republicans: Here's who's on your Nov. 3 ballot - SW Illinois News · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 22newsFortier's policy platform reported in regional and STLPR voter guides
Southwest Illinois News and STLPR voter guides published September 22 described Fortier's positions: universal health care, reinstating ACA subsidies, higher taxes on the wealthy, increasing health-care access, keeping the VA public, opposing tariffs, expanding fair-trade agreements for farmers, and restoring federal abortion rights.
Southwest Illinois Republicans: Here's who's on your Nov. 3 ballot - SW Illinois News · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 1newsFortier pledges to refuse corporate PAC and AIPAC money
Reported in the September 22 Southwest Illinois News regional guide, Fortier announced she would not accept corporate PAC or AIPAC funding. The exact date of the pledge was not given beyond 'August.'
Southwest Illinois Republicans: Here's who's on your Nov. 3 ballot - SW Illinois News · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Progressive Democrats of America organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- AFL-CIO Illinois unionListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- AFSCME Illinois unionListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Democrats Abroad Veterans & Military Families Caucus organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Sierra Club (National) organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Illinois Veterans for Change organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- College Democrats of EIU organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Gun Sense Voter organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Citizens Action Illinois organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. Also separately listed by Citizen Action/Illinois among its federal endorsements for the March 2026 primary (refers to March 17 primary; no specific endorsement date given). citizenaction-il.org
- Courage Candidate organizationListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Downstate Illinois Laborers' District Council unionListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
- Illinois Federation of Teachers unionListed on Fortier campaign website under 'Proud Endorsements'; no date provided. juliefortier.org
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $146K
- Spent
- $103K
- Cash on hand
- $42K
As of Sep 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6IL12131(opens in a new tab)
Sources 8
- [1] Spring 2026 Endorsements — Citizen Action/Illinois(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [2] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] 2026 Endorsed Candidates of the ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Editorial: Mike Bost for US House of Representatives in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] Illinois' 12th District Race 2026: Who's Running (IL-12)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] Julie Fortier for Illinois District 12 | Democrat(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [7] Southwest Illinois Republicans: Here's who's on your Nov. 3 ballot - SW Illinois News(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [8] Democratic congressional candidate Julie Fortier on economy ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 18, 2026