Mike
Bost
Republican incumbent Mike Bost represents Illinois' 12th District and chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Committee in the 119th Congress.
- sources
- 16
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 3
Background
Mike Bost is a Republican U.S. representative for Illinois' 12th Congressional District, having served since January 2015. In the 119th Congress he chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Committee. 129
Bost was born and raised in Murphysboro, Illinois, where he attended Murphysboro High School (graduating in 1979) and later completed the University of Illinois Certified Firefighter II Academy in 1993. Before entering Congress he worked for 13 years at Bost Trucking Service—first as a driver, then for a decade as a truck manager—and served as a firefighter with the Murphysboro Fire Department. 1214
Prior to his election to Congress, Bost held several local and state offices: Jackson County Board member (1984–1988), Murphysboro Township treasurer (1989–1992), Murphysboro Township trustee (1993–1995), and Illinois state representative (1995–2014). 2
Bost is seeking re-election in the November 2026 general election for Illinois' 12th Congressional District. He has received endorsements including one from former President Donald Trump. 154
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 12, Illinois
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative for Illinois' 12th Congressional District; Chair, House Veterans' Affairs Committee
- Website
- bostforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Voting record
How Mike Bost voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 3, 2023 to Sep 16, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.
- roll call votes
- 1,909
- missed
- 1.3%
- with their party’s majority
- 96%
Recent key votes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · S2403 · Economy & jobsRetire through Ownership ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9497 · Climate & energyWater Resources Development ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9340 · Climate & energyRatepayer Protection ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HJRES213 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR10326 · Crime & public safetyPROOF ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 16, 2026 · House · HR9576 · Crime & public safetyNational Fraud Enforcement Division ActOn Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HJRES210 · Climate & energyProviding for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”On Passage · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
- Sep 15, 2026 · House · HR9500 · Taxes & budgetTax Relief for Fraud Victims ActOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · PassedOfficial roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)Yes
Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,909 votes →
Timeline
- Oct 12pollForecasts rate Bost's reelection chance above 96%, with projected R+35 margin
FutureBallot rated Bost's win probability above 99% with an expected margin of R+35.6, while a second tracker gave him a 96% win probability. These are model forecasts, not voter surveys.
IL-12 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsBost discusses rural healthcare initiatives and commemorates tragic anniversary
Bost was reported discussing rural healthcare initiatives and marking a significant anniversary, according to the Metro East Sun.
Mike Bost discusses rural healthcare initiatives and ... · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6endorsementChicago Tribune editorial board endorses Bost for U.S. House in Illinois' 12th District
The Chicago Tribune editorial board endorsed Bost, quoting him on Iran policy—calling for 'bold efforts' to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon—and on Social Security, urging bipartisan solutions to 'preserve these treasured programs for our children and grandchildren.'
Editorial: Mike Bost for US House of Representatives in ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3endorsementIllinois Family Action reaffirms Bost endorsement in updated 2026 general election list
Illinois Family Action published an updated general election endorsement list again naming Bost as its pick for the IL-12 House seat.
2026 General Election Endorsements · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2newsBost announces Take Care of America's Veterans Act to extend suicide prevention grant funding
Bost stated that the Take Care of America's Veterans Act would extend funding for the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program from one to three years and allow up to 30 local organizations to receive additional awards, saying 'there is still more work to be done' to help veterans in crisis.
5 things to know in veterans news: Suicide prevention, ending ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsIllinois court ruling leaves mail-ballot window intact despite Bost's ongoing legal challenge
A local report noted that Illinois' existing 14-day window for receiving properly postmarked mail ballots would remain in effect for the November 3 election, notwithstanding Bost's continuing legal challenge to the policy.
Where to vote early in Jackson and Williamson counties, and where ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30endorsementIllinois Family Action endorses Bost for Illinois' 12th District general election
Illinois Family Action listed Mike Bost as its endorsed candidate for District 12 ahead of the November 3 general election.
IFA’s 2026 General Election Endorsements · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsWounded Warrior Project names Bost 2026 Legislator of the Year; veterans bills highlighted
Stars and Stripes reported that the Wounded Warrior Project named Bost (alongside Sen. Richard Blumenthal) its 2026 Legislator of the Year. Bost was also noted as leading the Take Care of America's Veterans Act and other veterans-related legislation.
5 things to know in veterans news: Job training for skilled ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 16newsBost appears on St. Louis Public Radio's Politically Speaking podcast to discuss reelection bid
Mike Bost joined St. Louis Public Radio's Politically Speaking podcast to talk about his reelection campaign in what the station described as a 'nationally watched' race.
All articles tagged Politically Speaking | Illinois Public Media · Sep 16, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Donald Trump officialEndorsed Bost before the Republican primary; exact date not stated in source. washingtonexaminer.com
- Chicago Tribune Editorial Board newspaperTribune editorial concludes 'Mike Bost is endorsed.' chicagotribune.com · Oct 6, 2026
- Illinois Family Action organizationListed 'U.S. House Dist. 12 – Mike Bost – Endorsed!' in their 2026 general election endorsements. illinoisfamilyaction.org · Oct 3, 2026
Past elections
General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.
| Year | Seat | Result | Votes | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | U.S. House IL-12 · R | Won | 218,379 | 75.0% |
| 2020 | U.S. House IL-12 · R | Won | 194,839 | 60.4% |
| 2018 | U.S. House IL-12 · R | Won | 134,884 | 51.6% |
| 2016 | U.S. House IL-12 · R | Won | 169,976 | 54.3% |
Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.33M
- Spent
- $890K
- Cash on hand
- $790K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H4IL12060(opens in a new tab)
Sources 16
- [1] IL-12 2026 House forecast - FutureBallot(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Mike Bost discusses rural healthcare initiatives and ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [3] Editorial: Mike Bost for US House of Representatives in ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [4] Energy(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [5] 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] 5 things to know in veterans news: Suicide prevention, ending ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] Issues(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] IFA’s 2026 General Election Endorsements(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [9] Where to vote early in Jackson and Williamson counties, and where ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [10] 5 things to know in veterans news: Job training for skilled ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [11] All articles tagged Politically Speaking | Illinois Public Media(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
- [12] Here's where Trump's 2026 endorsements stand after the primaries(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [13] BOST ISSUES STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 24, 2026
- [14] BOST ISSUES STATEMENT ON HOUSE PASSAGE OF THE ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 11, 2026
- [15] BOST HIGHLIGHTS COPS GRANT OPPORTUNITY(opens in a new tab) May 23, 2025
- [16] BOST VOTES FOR PARENTS BILL OF RIGHTS ACT(opens in a new tab) Mar 24, 2023