U.S. House · Illinois's 13th District
Jeff Wilson
CandidateR
- Race
- U.S. House · Illinois's 13th District
- Result
- Nikki Budzinski, projected winner
- Opponent
- Nikki Budzinski (D)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did2 statements · 0 votes
There’s no way that a guy — regardless of what he thinks he is — should be competing in a female sport, or be in a female locker room, female safe space, or female prison.
Bar transgender women and girls from women's and girls' school sports
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 13
2026-11-03
| Nikki Budzinski D | incumbent |
| Jeff Wilson R | challenger |
Won the March 17, 2026 Republican primary unopposed
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
There’s no way that a guy — regardless of what he thinks he is — should be competing in a female sport, or be in a female locker room, female safe space, or female prison.
In an August 2026 radio interview, asked about the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act, said a male should not compete in a female sport.[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I still am convinced on the main, on the big picture, it's an overall net positive for the United States.
In an August 2026 radio interview, called tariffs an overall net positive for the country while saying they adversely affect agriculture.[4]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Jeff Wilson, a Republican former naval submariner and retired nuclear engineer, lost the November 3, 2026 election for U.S. House in Illinois's 13th District to Nikki Budzinski. He has served on the Champaign County Board and won the March 2026 Republican primary. He describes himself as a "pro-life, pro-gun constitutional federalist" and a supporter of President Trump.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Wilson served in the U.S. Navy, and Illinois Public Media describes him as a former naval submariner.[1][2] He worked as a nuclear engineer before retiring.[2] He is a member of the Champaign County Board, where Democrats hold a 16-6 majority, and the report says he has served in local government since 2024.[2]
Wilson lives in Mahomet with his wife, just outside the 13th District; federal law requires a House candidate to live in the state, not the district.[2] He won the March 17, 2026 Republican primary over Joshua Loyd, the party's 2024 nominee, and faced incumbent Nikki Budzinski.[1][2] He received 37.4% of the vote to Nikki Budzinski's 62.6%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]
In their own words
Priorities
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Protect legal access to abortion
“Well, it's a states' rights issue. That's it.”[5]
In an Aug. 25, 2026 interview on The 21st Show (Illinois Public Media), asked if he would support a national law prohibiting abortion. Per the Illinois Public Media transcript, which says it may use AI assistance; the wording was not corroborated in IPM's edited write-up.
- Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
“Just follow the law as written that we have for our country — that every single country has.”[5]
In an Aug. 25, 2026 interview on The 21st Show (Illinois Public Media), on the administration's deportations. Per the Illinois Public Media transcript, which says it may use AI assistance; the wording was not corroborated in IPM's edited write-up.
- Faster transition away from fossil fuels
“We need more energy, more nuclear power plants, more coal plants that work 24 hours a day, and grid stability, grid modernization here in Illinois.”[4]
In an Aug. 25, 2026 interview on The 21st Show (Illinois Public Media), as published by IPM Newsroom
- Expand public health coverage
“It is not the federal government’s role to take care of every issue that affects our lives.”[4]
In an Aug. 25, 2026 interview on The 21st Show (Illinois Public Media), as published by IPM Newsroom; he also said “I 100% agree that healthcare is needed.”
Campaign money$348K raised · 17% from individuals · FEC through 2026-06-30
Totals this cycle
Bars share one scale (raised = full). Cash on hand can include money carried over from earlier cycles.
Who gave
- Individuals $59K
- PACs & committees $5,150
- Own money & loans $284K
Largest committee contributions
- Mary Miller for Congress Candidate committee$2,000
- Volunteers for Shimkus Candidate committee$1,000
Direct contributions only; outside spending is not included. Individual donors are itemized in the FEC’s receipts. All itemized receipts ↗ FEC filing ↗
Profile: /people/jeff-wilson-il
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Jeff Wilson (Illinois's 13th Congressional District) · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.Jeff Wilson believes he's the Republican to flip Illinois' 13th Congressional District · Illinois Public Media / Illinois Newsroom · 2026-10-21 News report
- 3.U.S. House, Illinois's 13th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 4.GOP congressional candidate Jeff Wilson on tariffs, energy production, and healthcare · Illinois Public Media (IPM Newsroom) · 2026-08-31 News report
- 5.Transcript: GOP congressional candidate Jeff Wilson on tariffs, energy production, and immigration policy · Illinois Public Media, The 21st Show · 2026-08-27 News report