BND 2026 Voter Guide: 15th congressional district Democratic primary
Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for the 15th congressional district Democratic primary that features Paul Davis, Kyle Nudo, Randy Raley and Jennifer Todd in the district that includes a part of the metro-east as well as Quincy.
The News-Democrat has contacted candidates running in contested races in the March 17 Illinois primary and asked them to complete a candidate questionnaire.
While this article has information about the Democratic primary for the 15th congressional district, you can go to this page at bnd.com to get links to read about other candidates running in the primary.
Below are the responses from Davis, Raley and Todd. Nudo did not respond. They are running to be the Democratic nominee in the Nov. 3 election. (They’re listed alphabetically.)
NAME: PAUL DAVIS
Age as of March 17, 2026: 58
Campaign website or social media page: pauldavisforcongress.com
Office seeking: U.S. Congress Illinois 15th District
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Veterinarian
Education: University of Illinois, Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: My wife Karin Crocker, DVM and I founded an endowed scholarship at the University of Illinois to support veterinary students from Southern Illinois.
We also established a foundation account and have made substantial contributions to our local Faith in Action Chapter, the Collinsville Food Pantry, Got Your Six Support Dogs (a PTSD support dog program for military and first responders). We have also been supporters of our local Kiwanis chapter.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? 1) My wife and I, 2) and 3) private citizens. We haven’t received any corporate or PAC contributions
How much money have you raised for your campaign? Approximately $30,860
Why are you running? I am running because I am very concerned about the extreme and divisive nature of our politics, the anti science culture, the sustainability of small businesses and family farms, and overall affordability for working families. Currently, our politicians are not able to solve so many issues that are or at least should be nonpartisan.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Affordability for working people.
I will advocate for policies that bring federal funds back to our district for infrastructure and broadband. This will help provide good jobs and also improve the climate for existing businesses and family farms in our district in addition to attracting new businesses
.I will also advocate for Medicare for all. If we can make healthcare more affordable for everyone, we will save large amounts of money for working families.
Why should people vote for you? I am a problem solver. I’ve been a practicing veterinarian in Madison County for over 33 years. I’ve been a trusted member of the community. I’ve had to work with everyone who comes through my door to find solutions for them and their pets. I’ve also been a small business owner. I think my life experience gives me a unique perspective to work with constituents in the 15th District, my home
.Did you use AI to write your responses to these questions? No
NAME: RANDY RALEY
Age as of March 17, 2026: 70
Campaign website or social media page: www.electraley.com
Office seeking: IL 15th Congressional District
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Retired
Education: Meramec Community College; Academy of Radio and Television
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have led fundraising campaigns for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, the Traveling Vietnam War Memorial, and Down syndrome children’s charities, and have served as a board member of the Kirkwood, Missouri YMCA, a co-founder and former board member of the St. Louis Classic Rock Preservation Society, founder and president of Planet Radio, and head lector at St. Peter Catholic, St. Charles, MO.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Joyce Pavia Schanter, Ericka Weaver/Lance Traynor
How much money have you raised for your campaign? Approximately $13K plus candidate loan of $10K
Why are you running? Representative Miller has failed our district. As a member of the Freedom Caucus, she pledged not to return our tax dollars back to our district to fund community projects.
For five years, she upheld that pledge, ignoring her constituents who need a water tower, a tornado warning system, a fire station, a sheriff’s station, and more. While our infrastructure crumbled, our tax dollars went to other districts.
I’m running to work for our district, not ignoring it. I’ve been meeting with community leaders, education administrators and teachers, unions, farm bureaus, economic development leaders, nurses, and constituents to determine the needs of our communities. I’ve pledged to secure funding to support the projects needed, and help our farmers, and our young people. I’m running because I care about the people and the communities in our district and their future.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? Our district faces multiple challenges that are intertwined. Our farmers and communities are facing economic pressures, deteriorating infrastructure, food deserts, limited healthcare access, broadband access, drug addition, homelessness, and our youth moving away.
These issues must be addressed collectively in order to strengthen the district’s economy, recruit businesses and provide the services needed. Broadband will provide economic opportunities for entrepreneurs, expand educational opportunities for our students, provide healthcare access from home, remote work, and assist our farmers. Better roads help farmers get to their fields, are safer for drivers who commute, and bring businesses to our communities. I want to revitalize our communities so they can thrive, not just survive.
Why should people vote for you? Trust in our government has been undermined by politicians who increase their personal wealth and do little to help their constituents. Robin Williams once said politicians need to wear patches like NASCAR drivers so we know who they’re really working for.
We need to return ethics to government. Members of Congress should be banned from stock trading, along with their immediate family members while they serve.
Retired congressional members and military should be banned from lobbying for five years. There should be more transparency in financial reporting, ranges of financial worth need to be more specific, and reporting should be done in real time.
I’m not trying to get elected to enrich myself. My one job will be to listen and to make our district better for all of us who live here.
Did you use AI to write your responses to these questions? No
NAME: JENNIFER TODD
Age as of March 17, 2026: 56
Campaign website or social media page: www.jentodd2026.us
Office seeking: Congressional District IL-15
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Education: ADN Kaskaskia College, BS healthcare management SIUC, BSN SIUE
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: Growing daily
Who are your top three campaign contributors? Gary Davis, Paul Blobaum and Barbara Lovekamp
How much money have you raised for your campaign? $36,744.27
Why are you running? At the time of the 2024 election, I found out that Mary Miller ran unopposed for the IL-15. I knew that it couldn’t happen again. At that time, I began my research and found that Miller had completely abandoned the district by failing to meet the needs of those she was supposed to represent.
Then, when the Big Ugly Bill passed and the cuts to our healthcare services, I knew the path we were heading. Our rural hospitals and nursing homes will start to close due to non-payment from Medicaid and Medicare. This will devastate the district as a whole.
I want to change all of this and comment to the people of the IL-15 and be the representative that this district needs. Someone who will fight for Central Illinois and the district’s needs.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? The biggest challenge facing IL-15 is access to affordable healthcare, especially in our rural communities. When we lose healthcare services, we lose jobs, economic stability and the ability for families to get timely care. Protecting access to care while strengthening our rural economy is essential to the future of this district.
Why should people vote for you? That’s a great question — and it’s one I’ve been thinking about for the past 13 months.
I’m running because I’m just like everyone else in this district. I worry about paying my bills on time. I worry about putting food on the table. I worry about having healthcare when my family needs it. And I want our children to have access to a strong public education that gives them real opportunities.
The truth is, someone had to step up, and I said, if not me, then who? Our current representative has forgotten about the people she’s supposed to represent. I haven’t. I am listening to our communities and letting them all know that they are being heard.
I’m running to make sure families like mine are heard, respected, and fought for every single day.
Did you use AI to write your responses to these questions? Assisted