U.S. House · Illinois's 16th District
Paul Nolley
CandidateD
- Race
- U.S. House · Illinois's 16th District
- Result
- Darin LaHood, projected winner
- Opponent
- Darin LaHood (R)
- Research
- Basic
Party linenone
No recorded floor votes — not a current legislator in our records.
Said vs. did2 statements · 0 votes
we need to expand Medicare to cover all medically necessary care and make it available to every American, regardless of age, with no premiums, copays, or deductibles
Expand public health coverage
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotU.S. House · 16
2026-11-03
| Darin LaHood R | incumbent |
| Paul Nolley D | challenger |
Won the March 17, 2026 Democratic 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.
we need to expand Medicare to cover all medically necessary care and make it available to every American, regardless of age, with no premiums, copays, or deductibles
Campaign site says Medicare should be expanded to cover all medically necessary care for every American; at a forum he also said people 50 and older should be able to buy into Medicare.[4][5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
We need to be using those precise tariffs like that to protect our critical industries, our industrial base, not this chaotic ChatGPT-produced tariff regime that is driving up prices by thousands of dollars.
In an October 2026 WTVP/League of Women Voters forum, as reported by NPR Illinois, said he supports tariffs aimed at specific industries and criticized the current broad tariffs.[6]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Biography
Paul Nolley, a Democrat and executive director of Project First Rate, lost the November 3, 2026 election for U.S. House in Illinois's 16th District to Darin LaHood. A Rockford native, he began his career working on a state senator's campaign, then worked with community organizations before becoming executive director of Project First Rate, which advocates for union contractors and tradespeople. He was unopposed in the March 2026 Democratic primary.[1][2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Nolley was born in Rockford, Illinois, and, according to Roscoe News, grew up in Rockford and South Beloit before attending Hononegah High School in Rockton and then Illinois State University.[1][7] He describes a working-class upbringing: his father was a mechanic and his mother worked several jobs, neither with a college education, and he held blue-collar jobs in restaurants and on farms.[2] After college Nolley worked on State Sen. Steve Stadelman's 2012 campaign, then for community organizations including the YMCA, United Way and Habitat for Humanity.[2]
Nolley is executive director of Project First Rate, described by NPR Illinois / WNIJ as an organization advocating for union contractors and tradespeople.[1][2] Roscoe News reports that he lives in Roscoe with his wife, a special education teacher, and their two children.[7] He advanced from the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary unopposed, with 38,665 votes.[1] He received 41.2% of the vote to Darin LaHood's 58.8%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]
In their own words
Priorities
- Lists "Save Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid" as a campaign priority.[4]
- Lists "End Corruption & Pay-to-Play Politics" as a priority, including banning members of Congress and their families from trading stocks.[4]
- Lists "Strengthen Unions & Workers' Rights" and "Revive Manufacturing & Blue-Collar Careers" as priorities.[4]
Statements, quoted without a stance
- Faster transition away from fossil fuels
“If we didn't have these renewable energy sources right now, our energy costs would be even higher than they already are”[6]
In an October 2026 WTVP/League of Women Voters forum, per NPR Illinois
- Expand immigration enforcement and deportations
“We have seen, of course, our citizens be shot in the street by a masked federal force. This should raise alarm bells for everyone across the political spectrum”[6]
In an October 2026 WTVP/League of Women Voters forum, per NPR Illinois
- Universal, publicly funded child care
“passing Paid Family Leave legislation, expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare, and increasing the Child Tax Credit”[4]
On his campaign website
Campaign money$416K raised · 84% 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 $351K
- PACs & committees $61K
- Party $2,000
- Own money & loans $1,585
Largest committee contributions
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Political Action Committee PAC$10K
- Int'l Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IPAL) PAC$10K
- International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers Political Action League PAC$10K
- UAW - V - Cap (UAW Voluntary Community Action Program) 'int'l Union United Automobile Aerospace & Agricultural Implement Workers of America UAW PAC$10K
- Ua Union Plumbers & Pipefitters Vote! PAC (United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing & Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada) PAC$10K
- International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Campaign Assistance Fund PAC$6,000
- Int'l Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers PAC$2,500
- National Elevator Constructors PAC/ Intn'l Union of Elevator Constructors (NEC PAC) PAC$2,500
- Storm PAC PAC$1,000
- Fostering Progress PAC PAC$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/paul-nolley
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Paul Nolley · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.A Rockford Democrat wants to offer a different vision in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District · NPR Illinois / WNIJ · 2025-05-12 News report
- 3.U.S. House, Illinois's 16th District results 2026 · NBC News News report
- 4.Paul's Plan to Strengthen Working Families · Nolley for Congress Candidate's own words
- 5.Congressional candidates address inflation and the rising cost of living · WGLT · 2026-10-01 News report
- 6.At Peoria debate, challenger Paul Nolley on the attack while longtime incumbent Darin LaHood touts record · NPR Illinois · 2026-10-08 News report
- 7.Paul Nolley, Hononegah alum, launches campaign for Illinois' 16th congressional district · Roscoe News · 2025-09-10 News report