Biography
Jeff Wilson is the Republican nominee for Illinois's 13th District. A former naval submariner and retired nuclear engineer, 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]
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 will face incumbent Nikki Budzinski.[1][2]
- 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
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.
