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U.S. House · IL-08 · Democratic candidate · 2026

Melissa Bean

Democratic candidate for Illinois's 8th Congressional District

Former Illinois congresswoman and business leader focused on affordable care, worker opportunity, public schools, clean energy and reproductive freedom.

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Portrait of Melissa Bean
DistrictIL-08
OfficeCongress
ElectionNov. 3, 2026

Policy priorities

Where Melissa stands.

Campaign position

Protect ACA coverage and reverse Medicaid cuts

  • Supports permanent ACA premium assistance and Medicare drug negotiation
  • Backs reversing Medicaid cuts that reduce coverage and strain hospitals

Campaign position

Protect organizing rights and retirement benefits

  • Supports collective bargaining and stronger labor enforcement
  • Backs employer pensions, profit-sharing incentives and fair pay

Campaign position

Fund special education and protect public schools

  • Supports fully funding IDEA and restoring the Education Department
  • Opposes vouchers that divert funding from public schools

Campaign position

Expand small-business access to capital

  • Supports affordable business financing and local entrepreneurship
  • Backs simpler regulations while retaining strong consumer protections

Campaign position

Expand clean energy and hold polluters accountable

  • Supports cleaner technology and energy-efficient infrastructure
  • Backs cutting emissions and protecting air and water from major pollutants

Campaign position

Codify abortion rights and protect fertility care

  • Supports codifying Roe protections and access to abortion, contraception and IVF
  • Opposes a federal abortion ban

Record and background

Record & experience.

  1. 2010

    Accomplishment

    Helped enact the Affordable Care Act

    Voted for the Affordable Care Act as part of the majority expanding insurance coverage and patient protections.

  2. 2009

    Accomplishment

    Helped enact fair-pay protections

    Supported the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, strengthening workers’ ability to challenge pay discrimination.

  3. 2010

    Accomplishment

    Helped enact Wall Street reforms

    Supported financial reforms passed by Congress to strengthen oversight and consumer protections.

  • Experience

    U.S. representative

    Previously represented Illinois’ Eighth Congressional District for three terms.

  • Experience

    Business executive

    Held leadership roles in business alongside public and community service.

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