Biography
Jared Ploger is the Democratic nominee for Illinois State Senate District 42 in the November 3, 2026 general election, running against Republican Edgardo Perez. A teacher in the Valley View School District 365U, he is a former member of the Oswego school board.[1] The Illinois Democratic Party chose him as nominee to replace Linda Holmes, who withdrew after winning the March 2026 primary.[1]
Ploger earned a high school diploma from Somonauk High School, a bachelor's degree from Northern Illinois University, and a graduate degree from Olivet Nazarene University.[1] He has coached basketball and received the Coach of the Year award from the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association.[1]
Ploger was an at-large member of the Oswego Community Unit School District 308 school board, assuming office in 2015.[1] He ran for the Democratic nomination for Illinois House District 84 in 2026 and lost the March 17 primary to Saba Haider, 63.5 percent to 36.5 percent.[1]
- 1.Jared Ploger · Ballotpedia Reference
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Illinois Senate District 42
Jared Ploger is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Illinois Senate District 42 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.