Meet your Federal Candidates

Juliana Stratton

UNITED STATES SENATOR

Juliana Stratton is a fighter, working to give the people what they want. Whether that’s quality healthcare, a little more money in your pocket, or leaders who will represent you and not corporate special interests, Juliana is in this work for you.

  • Juliana’s journey into public service started at home. While caring for her mother, Velma, during her battle with Alzheimer's, Juliana saw firsthand how broken and cruel our healthcare system can be. When her state representative tried to strip healthcare away from families like hers, Juliana didn’t back down. She stepped up. She ran against the 13-year incumbent and won.

    Since then, Juliana has spent every day fighting for Illinoisans, first as state representative and currently as Lieutenant Governor alongside Governor JB Pritzker. Now she is running to be your next US Senator.

    Juliana believes government should deliver for everyday people, not corporate donors. That’s why she’s fighting for:

    • A $25 federal minimum wage

    • Medicare for All

    • Getting Corporate PACs out of politics

Lauren Underwood

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE
DISTRICT 14

Congresswoman Lauren Underwood serves Illinois’ 14th Congressional District and was first sworn into Congress on January 3, 2019. She is the first woman, the first person of color, and the first millennial to represent her community in Congress.

  • Rep. Underwood is a registered nurse and co-founder and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, which addresses America’s Black Maternal Health crisis in Congress and advances policy solutions to improve maternal health outcomes and end disparities. Rep. Underwood is Co-Chair of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and serves on the House Committee on Appropriations.

    Prior to her election to Congress, she served as a Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), helping communities across the country prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters, bioterror threats, and public health emergencies. As a career public servant at HHS, she also helped implement the Affordable Care Act, broadening access for those on Medicare, improving health care quality, and reforming private insurance. She has made access to high-quality, affordable health care a signature issue.

Paul Nolley

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE
DISTRICT 16

Paul Nolley is an independent leader fighting for working people. He stands for the people who build, grow, teach, fix, and feed America — not the ones who strip it for parts. Paul was born in Rockford to working-class parents who taught him the value of showing up, working hard, and doing right by your neighbors.

  • Paul got his first job at 15, cooking and cleaning at a local racetrack— and he’s been working ever since. He's been a cook, cashier, cleaner, farmhand, and more.

    Inspired by his mother, who finished college as Paul graduated from public high school, he went to Illinois State University, thanks to Pell grants, student loans and a steady job in a diner. In between classes and shifts in the kitchen, he interned for local nonprofits and even toured the country in his rock & roll band.

    He then came back to his hometown and delivered for working families — raising record support for youth services, expanding homeownership, mentorship and literacy, restoring child care funding, and leading disaster relief planning.

    Today, he serves as executive director of Project First Rate, where he fights for strong blue-collar apprenticeship programs, responsible construction policies, and careers that put working people first.