U.S. House · Illinois's 6th District

Western Chicago suburbs in DuPage and Cook counties, including Naperville, Wheaton, Elmhurst, Lombard and Glen Ellyn.

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

✓ Fact-checked 2026-09-25: 17 claims re-checked against their sources

A second, independent research pass re-opened every cited source for this race and corrected or removed anything the source didn’t support.

  • All facts (primary results, Cook PVI D+3, bios, degrees, prior runs) and all quotes (Casten's Candidate Connection survey answers; Conforti's campaign website text on debt ceiling, ICE/immigration, abortion, 2nd Amendment, SAFE-T Act, tariffs) confirmed verbatim against Ballotpedia. No corrections needed.

On the ballot · 2 candidates

Where they stand — side by side

Only positions documented in a cited source are shown. Where an officeholder’s recorded votes speak to an issue, the votes set the position (marked “votes”). A dash means we found no clear public position — not that the candidate has none.

ISSUESean Casten
D
Niki Conforti
R
Protect legal access to abortionSupports[20][21]votesOpposes[4]
Stricter gun lawsSupports[16][17][18]votesOpposes[4]
Expand immigration enforcement and deportationsOpposes[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]votesSupports[4]
Raise taxes on high earners or corporationsSupports[6][7][8][14]votes—
Expand public health coverageSupports[6][7][8][12]votes—
Faster transition away from fossil fuelsSupports[6][7][8][13][14]votes—
Increase police funding and staffing—Supports[4]
Raise the minimum wageSupports[19]votes—
Broad tariffs on imported goodsOpposes[15]votesSupports[4]
Universal, publicly funded child careSupports[13]votes—

The candidates, in full

Sean Casten

DINCUMBENTU.S. Representative (since 2019)

Sean Casten is the Democratic incumbent seeking re-election to Illinois's 6th District. A scientist and clean-energy entrepreneur before entering Congress, he has represented the district since 2019 and won his March 2026 primary with about 76% of the vote.[1][2]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Key votes in Congress

  • YesWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
  • YesResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
  • NoConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
  • YesBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
  • YesWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
  • YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
  • YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
  • NoContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
  • NoCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
  • NoGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
  • NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
  • NoRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
  • NoOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
  • NoSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
  • NoFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
  • NoLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
  • NoSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
  • YesInflation Reduction Act — final House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · 2022-08-12 roll call ↗Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
  • YesAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · 2022-07-29 roll call ↗Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
  • YesWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · 2022-07-15 roll call ↗Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
  • YesBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · S. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · 2022-06-24 roll call ↗Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
  • YesBuild Back Better Act — House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · 2021-11-19 roll call ↗Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
  • YesWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · 2021-09-24 roll call ↗Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
  • YesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · 2021-03-18 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
  • YesRaise the Wage Act — House passage · H.R. 582 · Passed 231–199 · 2019-07-18 roll call ↗Would have raised the federal minimum wage in steps from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025.
  • YesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 237–187 · 2019-06-04 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
  • YesBipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · H.R. 8 · Passed 240–190 · 2019-02-27 roll call ↗Would have required background checks for most firearm transfers between private parties.

Positions on the issues

  • SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted yes on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[6][7][8][13][14]

    What they say: Has drafted clean-energy legislation with Rep. Mike Levin that he says would restore Inflation Reduction Act incentives and remove barriers to clean-energy deployment.[2]

    “We must address climate change and remove the barriers to cheap, clean energy deployment.”
  • OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[15]

    What they say: Says recent tariffs have contributed to slowing or reversing economic gains, including job creation and falling prices.[2]

    “All of those trends have slowed or reversed under Donald Trump, largely thanks to unpredictable tariffs and a weakening of the rule of law.”
  • OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted no on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted yes on American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04; 2021-03-18).[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

  • SupportsExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted yes on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08).[6][7][8][12]

  • SupportsRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

    Voted no on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted yes on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[6][7][8][14]

  • SupportsUniversal, publicly funded child careFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[13]

  • SupportsStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27). Voted yes on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29). Voted yes on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24).[16][17][18]

  • SupportsRaise the minimum wageFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).[19]

  • SupportsProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

    Voted yes on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted yes on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15).[20][21]

In their words — priorities

  • Says Congress needs a majority willing to stand up to President Trump on the economy, arguing GDP growth, job creation and falling prices under the Biden administration have slowed or reversed since, largely because of tariffs.[2]
  • Says Congress must assert its oversight powers and reclaim powers taken by the executive branch, including using the power of the purse to withhold funding from agencies that do not comply with ethics rules and the rule of law.[2]
  • Has drafted clean-energy legislation with Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) that he says would restore incentives previously available under the Inflation Reduction Act and serve as a roadmap for House Democrats' climate and energy policy.[2]

Background

  • Worked as a clean-energy entrepreneur before being elected to Congress in 2018.[2]

Campaign money

Raised $2.1M · spent $1.5M · $1.3M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Niki Conforti

R

Niki Conforti is the Republican nominee for Illinois's 6th District. An energy consultant with a background in healthcare, she won the March 2026 Republican primary and previously ran for this seat in 2022 and 2024.[1][3]

Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.

Positions on the issues

  • OpposesProtect legal access to abortion

    Describes herself as pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, and criticizes her opponent's support for abortion access.[4]

    “I am proudly Pro-Life with exception (Rape, Incest and the Life of the Mother), and I oppose the Democrats' radical abortion agenda.”
  • OpposesStricter gun laws

    Says she supports the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms.[4]

    “I am Pro – 2nd Amendment and believe we must protect our right to bear arms.”
  • SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportations

    Supports expanding ICE and deporting violent criminals, while saying she supports legal immigration.[4]

    “I support expanding ICE and deporting violent criminals.”
  • SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goods

    Says tariffs will help bring back manufacturing and add jobs, though more is needed to stimulate economic growth.[4]

    “Tariffs will help bring back manufacturing and add jobs, but more needs to be done.”
  • SupportsIncrease police funding and staffing

    Opposes Illinois's SAFE-T Act and says she supports improved police training and recruitment.[4]

    “I oppose releasing violent felons on their own recognizance that the Safe-T Act requires.”

In their words — priorities

  • Says she opposes raising the federal debt ceiling and will push to curb spending, and supports tariffs as a way to bring back manufacturing while pursuing further growth-oriented legislation.[4]
  • Says she supports expanding ICE and deporting violent criminals while continuing to support legal immigration.[4]
  • Describes herself as pro-life with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother, and says she supports the Second Amendment.[4]

Background

  • Earned a degree from the University of Chicago School of Economics and an M.B.A. in healthcare administration from George Washington University.[3]
  • Worked as an energy consultant and previously in healthcare, and owned her own staffing business.[3]
  • Ran unsuccessfully for this seat in the 2022 Republican primary and in the 2024 general election.[3]

Campaign money

Raised $313K · spent $296K · $23K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

Research notes & limits

Federal key floor votes and FEC finance totals for Casten are added separately by script. Conforti has not completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey; her positions here are drawn from her campaign website as quoted on her Ballotpedia page.

Sources · 21

Researched 2026-09-25. Green citations are official government records.

  1. 1.Illinois' 6th Congressional District election, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Sean Casten Candidate Connection survey response · Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey · 2026-09-25 Candidate's own words
  3. 3.Niki Conforti · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  4. 4.Niki Conforti's campaign website (quoted verbatim on Ballotpedia) · Conforti for Congress campaign website · 2026-02-20 Candidate's own words
  5. 5.Roll call: Laken Riley Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-01-22 Official record
  6. 6.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-05-22 Official record
  7. 7.H.R. 1 (119th Congress) — One Big Beautiful Bill Act: text and summary · Congress.gov Official record
  8. 8.Roll call: One Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2025-07-03 Official record
  9. 9.Roll call: Secure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2023-05-11 Official record
  10. 10.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-06-04 Official record
  11. 11.Roll call: American Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-03-18 Official record
  12. 12.Roll call: Breaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-01-08 Official record
  13. 13.Roll call: Build Back Better Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-11-19 Official record
  14. 14.Roll call: Inflation Reduction Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-08-12 Official record
  15. 15.Roll call: Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2026-02-11 Official record
  16. 16.Roll call: Bipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-02-27 Official record
  17. 17.Roll call: Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-29 Official record
  18. 18.Roll call: Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-06-24 Official record
  19. 19.Roll call: Raise the Wage Act — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2019-07-18 Official record
  20. 20.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2021-09-24 Official record
  21. 21.Roll call: Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · Office of the Clerk, U.S. House · 2022-07-15 Official record