BND 2026 Voter Guide: 15th congressional district Republican primary
Welcome to the Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for the 15th congressional district Republican primary that features Judy Bowlby, Rep. Mary Miller, who is the incumbent, and Ryan Tebrugge 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 Republican 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, see the response from Tebrugge. Bowlby and Miller did not respond. They are running to be the Republican nominee in the Nov. 3 election.
NAME: RYAN TEBRUGGE
Age as of March 17, 2026: 36
Campaign website or social media page: https://www.ryantforcongress.com/
Office seeking: U.S. Congress
Are you an incumbent? No
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought) No, but actively involved for more than 14 years.
Occupation: Information security for the state, student, and business owner
Education: I have earned an associate degree in political science and a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement. I am currently pursuing two master’s degrees, one in business administration and one in a second graduate field.
Please list highlights of your civic involvement: I have been actively involved in my community through volunteer work focused on supporting local families and strengthening neighborhood initiatives. I have served as a campaign manager, organizing grassroots outreach and voter engagement efforts to ensure residents feel heard and represented. I have traveled nearly 9,000 miles across the district to meet people face to face and learn directly about the challenges they are experiencing. As a former prison educator and correctional professional, I developed a strong commitment to accountability, second chances and public safety. I also serve as a state employee dedicated to improving government accessibility and as a small business owner invested in strengthening the local economy and supporting small communities.
Who are your top three campaign contributors? My parents, several supporters and I made the decision to refuse political action committee funding. We believe campaigns should be accountable to the people they represent, not outside special interests. By declining PAC money, we have committed to running a grassroots effort built on transparency, integrity and direct support from the community.
How much money have you raised for your campaign? I have not been focused on fundraising. My priority has been meeting people, listening to their concerns, and understanding the issues they face every day. I believe leadership starts with showing up, being present, and building real relationships within the community rather than concentrating solely on raising money.
Why are you running? I am running for this office because our district deserves serious, steady leadership that puts people ahead of politics and results ahead of rhetoric. For too long, decisions affecting our communities have been driven by national talking points and party infighting instead of the real needs of the people who live and work here. Too often, our current representation does not show up, does not engage, and does not put the district first. I believe representation starts with listening, showing up, and doing the work, especially when it is not easy or politically convenient.
What is the top issue in your race, and how would you address it? A central issue in this race is the rising cost of living and the pressure it is placing on families, farmers and small businesses across the district. Higher taxes, rising energy prices, increased input costs for agriculture and inflation on everyday goods are making it harder for people to stay afloat. Farmers are facing higher fuel, fertilizer, equipment and regulatory costs, while receiving little certainty about long-term federal policy. Many families are asking whether they can afford to remain in their communities, pass down family farms or keep their businesses open.
Why should people vote for you? People should vote for me because I bring a district first mindset grounded in real life experience, hard work and accountability. I am not focused on political theater or building a career in Washington. I am focused on serving the people who live, work and raise their families here.
I understand the pressures families, farmers and small business owners are facing because I have spent the time meeting them where they are. I have traveled across the district, listening directly to concerns about taxes, energy costs, agriculture, public safety and the future of our communities. I believe leadership starts with showing up and continues with consistent, practical action.
I have experience as a state employee, a small business owner, and a former correctional professional and educator. I am pursuing advanced education while maintaining academic excellence, which reflects discipline and commitment. I have also chosen to reject political action committee money because I believe elected officials should answer to the people, not outside interests.
Did you use AI to write your responses to these questions? Yes and no, I used it to help edit for clarity and grammar. A lot of these questions are similar to ones I got previously so I copied and pasted.