John D. Elleson, a Republican, is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois' 9th Congressional District. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. Daniel Biss is the Democratic candidate in the race.

Asked why he is seeking office, Elleson said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running for the 9th Congressional District Seat because we need to get our financial house in order. We are 40 trillion dollars in debt and running an annual 2 trillion dollar deficit. This needs to change or our dollar will eventually crash. It's irresponsible."

Candidate information

Birthplace: Monmouth, Illinois

Residence: Arlington Heights, Illinois

Party: Republican

Education: Asked about his education, Elleson said in our questionnaire: "Pastoral Theology Degree in 1985."

Family: Elleson said in our questionnaire: "Married to Sue for the past 42 years, 7 adult children: 2 daughters who are public school teachers, a daughter who is a local police officer, a son who is a lawyer, two sons who work for the government in Washington DC, a daughter who is married to a minister."

Family in government: Elleson said: "2 of my sons work in Washington DC. One for Congress, the other for the current administration as a political appointee."

Previous runs: Elleson ran for the same seat as the Republican nominee in 2018, according to the Evanston RoundTable, losing to then-incumbent Jan Schakowsky.

Endorsement: Lake County GOP

Experience and public service

Occupation: Elleson said in our questionnaire: "Pastor [in] the Chicagoland area for the last 42 years. I currently pastor a church in Arlington Heights called Lakewood Chapel." He is also a donut shop owner, according to BallotReady.

Elected or appointed office: Elleson said: "No elected position, but have been doing community work in the Chicagoland area for the last 42 years."

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Elleson said: "We have been working in the Chicagoland community helping people from all walks of life for the past 42 years."

On the issues

Top priority: Asked the single most important issue Congress should address, Elleson said: "Balance the national budget and pay down our national debt."

Affordability and cost of living: Elleson said: "Get the national debt under control and stop monetizing our debt. Balance our national budget."

Federal spending, taxes and debt: Elleson said: "We should balance the budget and not spend more than we take in."

Immigration and border security: Elleson said: "We need to have compassion on undocumented immigrants but we need to enforce the current laws on the books. People who come to our country need to do it legally."

Health care: Elleson said: "Healthcare needs to be available to all citizens and those residing in our country. It needs to be affordable and accessible."

National security and Iran: Elleson said: "We need to finish the job in Iran and make sure they never get a nuclear weapon."

Energy and the environment: Elleson said: "The United States should be energy independent and an exporter of energy."

Critical differences from other candidates: Elleson said: "I desire to work across party lines to get things done."

Congressional oversight: Elleson said in a separate candidate profile: "Congress needs to be the branch of gov't that has oversight responsibilities over the Executive Branch. I would take that duty seriously."

Best advice: Elleson said: "Be kind to people."

The U.S. House represents the district in Congress, with authority over federal legislation, spending, taxation and oversight of the executive branch.

Candidate responses were collected through a Surround Sound News questionnaire and published verbatim.