2026 BND Voter Guide: Get to know the candidates in the upcoming primary
Welcome to Belleville News-Democrat’s Voter Guide for the March 17 Illinois primary election.
We have reached out to about 30 candidates in contested primary races for federal, state and local offices in the metro-east and asked them to complete a detailed questionnaire.
The names of candidates who have returned questionnaire responses are hyperlinked in the list below so that BND subscribers can access the candidates’ answers to questions about issues important to their communities.
There will be far more contested races in the Nov. 3 election after the March 17 primary sets the path for candidates running in the fall. Our Voter Guide will be updated for the fall election.
If you have any questions or comments about this list, email your message to Elections2026@bnd.com.
Click on the hyperlink to immediately navigate to the candidate you want to see first. (The candidates are listed in alphabetical order. Incumbents are noted with an “i”.)
Federal offices
U.S. Congress - 13th District - Democratic primary
U.S. Congress - 13th District - Republican primary
U.S. Congress - 15th District - Democratic primary
Kyle Nudo - Did not respond.
U.S. Congress - 15th District - Republican primary
Judy Bowlby - Did not respond.
Mary Miller (i) - Did not respond.
State offices
State Senate - 56th District - Democratic primary
State House - 109th District - Republican primary
State House - 113th District - Democratic primary
St. Clair County
St. Clair County Sheriff - Democratic primary
St. Clair County Board District 14 - Democratic primary
Madison County
Madison County Clerk - Republican primary
Madison County Board District 4 - Republican primary
Thomas Maag - Did not respond.
Bobby Ross (i) - Did not respond.
Madison County Board District 10 - Democratic primary
Shawndell Wilson (i) - Did not respond.
Monroe County
Monroe County Commissioner - Republican primary
This story was originally published March 3, 2026 at 6:00 AM.