Each summary is supported by the candidate's own words from a campaign source, direct candidate response, or official primary record retained with the profile.
THIS IS OUR SHOT
Candidate positionNikki has spent her life fighting for workers and their families. And she’s taken this fight to Congress, where she’s laser focused on protecting and growing our nation’s middle class. For Nikki, this means combating rising costs, supporting Illinois agriculture and building a 21st century economy where everyone can get ahead.
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Nikki has spent her life fighting for workers and their families. And she’s taken this fight to Congress, where she’s laser focused on protecting and growing our nation’s middle class. For Nikki, this means combating rising costs, supporting Illinois agriculture and building a 21st century economy where everyone can get ahead.
Gallon of Milk
Candidate positionNikki knows that our communities thrive when the middle class is strong. But too often, those hardworking families are left behind. That’s why she’s spent her entire career fighting to help restore the American Dream for people like her grandpa, a union painter, and her grandma, a public school teacher.
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Nikki knows that our communities thrive when the middle class is strong. But too often, those hardworking families are left behind. That’s why she’s spent her entire career fighting to help restore the American Dream for people like her grandpa, a union painter, and her grandma, a public school teacher.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionI’ve spent my entire career fighting for workers and their families. And as a dues-paying member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, I’ve continued this fight in Congress, where I’m focused on passing the PRO Act to protect workers’ rights and improving pathways to good-paying jobs in Central and Southern Illinois.
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I’ve spent my entire career fighting for workers and their families. And as a dues-paying member of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, I’ve continued this fight in Congress, where I’m focused on passing the PRO Act to protect workers’ rights and improving pathways to good-paying jobs in Central and Southern Illinois.
Lowering Costs
Candidate positionAs too many of our families continue to struggle with the extreme cost of child care, we need a middle class tax cut. I’m a proud cosponsor of the American Family Act which would create a permanent tax cut for working parents.
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As too many of our families continue to struggle with the extreme cost of child care, we need a middle class tax cut. I’m a proud cosponsor of the American Family Act which would create a permanent tax cut for working parents.
Creating Jobs
Candidate positionThat’s why I’m focused on bringing manufacturing back home, strengthening American supply chains, and investing in a 21st-century Heartland economy. By supporting American industry, modernizing our infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs, we can ensure our communities, and those across the nation, have the opportunity to thrive.
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That’s why I’m focused on bringing manufacturing back home, strengthening American supply chains, and investing in a 21st-century Heartland economy. By supporting American industry, modernizing our infrastructure, and creating good-paying jobs, we can ensure our communities, and those across the nation, have the opportunity to thrive.
Advocating for Veterans
Candidate positionAs the granddaughter of two World War II veterans and a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), I’m committed to ensuring that our nation’s heroes receive the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. With the input of my Veterans Advisory Council, I’m working to improve access to services for veterans in our rural communities and to ensure that we’re doing right by our women veterans — the largest growing demographic in the VA system.
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As the granddaughter of two World War II veterans and a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC), I’m committed to ensuring that our nation’s heroes receive the benefits they’ve earned and deserve. With the input of my Veterans Advisory Council, I’m working to improve access to services for veterans in our rural communities and to ensure that we’re doing right by our women veterans — the largest growing demographic in the VA system.
Gallon of Milk
Candidate positionAfter graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Nikki joined the labor movement where she worked to get firefighters, grocery workers and meatpackers better wages, benefits and workplace safety protections. She went on to work for the state, where she led negotiations to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 an hour and chaired the Broadband Advisory Board to expand internet access to rural communities. And she also worked at the White House where she helped implement the American Rescue Plan to put money directly in the pockets of regular people and establish the Made in America Office to ensure jobs stayed here at home and didn’t get shipped overseas to China.
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After graduating from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Nikki joined the labor movement where she worked to get firefighters, grocery workers and meatpackers better wages, benefits and workplace safety protections. She went on to work for the state, where she led negotiations to raise Illinois’ minimum wage to $15 an hour and chaired the Broadband Advisory Board to expand internet access to rural communities. And she also worked at the White House where she helped implement the American Rescue Plan to put money directly in the pockets of regular people and establish the Made in America Office to ensure jobs stayed here at home and didn’t get shipped overseas to China.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionI’ve formed a bipartisan Agriculture Advisory Council with stakeholders across the 13th District to help me advocate for a strong, bipartisan farm bill that brings agriculture into the 21st century, supports our family farmers and feeds hungry folks across Illinois. I’ll keep pushing my colleagues to get it done.
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I’ve formed a bipartisan Agriculture Advisory Council with stakeholders across the 13th District to help me advocate for a strong, bipartisan farm bill that brings agriculture into the 21st century, supports our family farmers and feeds hungry folks across Illinois. I’ll keep pushing my colleagues to get it done.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionOver the last year, we’ve witnessed unprecedented attacks on the federal workforce. That’s why I’ve stood arm-in-arm with them and made clear their hardfought rights will not be ripped away.
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Over the last year, we’ve witnessed unprecedented attacks on the federal workforce. That’s why I’ve stood arm-in-arm with them and made clear their hardfought rights will not be ripped away.
Lowering Costs
Candidate positionI’ve heard from countless independent pharmacists across the district about how they’re being squeezed out of business by Big Pharma and the health insurance corporations – coordinated by greedy middlemen called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) who work to keep drug prices artificially high. That’s why I’m a proud cosponsor of the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, which would crack down on predatory drug pricing practices and expand patient choice.
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I’ve heard from countless independent pharmacists across the district about how they’re being squeezed out of business by Big Pharma and the health insurance corporations – coordinated by greedy middlemen called Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) who work to keep drug prices artificially high. That’s why I’m a proud cosponsor of the Pharmacists Fight Back Act, which would crack down on predatory drug pricing practices and expand patient choice.
Creating Jobs
Candidate positionI was proud to help establish the White House Made in America Office to ensure that American companies and manufacturers get top priority in federal projects.
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I was proud to help establish the White House Made in America Office to ensure that American companies and manufacturers get top priority in federal projects.
Gallon of Milk
Candidate positionNikki has consistently put people over partisan politics, striving for compromise and delivering results rather than political bickering. During her 2024 re-election to Congress, Nikki outperformed her opponent by 16 percent and increased her winning margins in every county across the district. Nikki attributes this success to her unwavering focus on addressing everyday issues and her willingness to listen to the American people, building bridges across the aisle. This approach has earned her the role of Vice-Chair of Policy for the New Democrat Coalition– a group of 100 lawmakers focused on bridging the partisan divide with solutions to the most pressing issues facing our country and our communities. And she’s been ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the House of Representatives by the Common Ground Committee for her work across the party aisle.
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Nikki has consistently put people over partisan politics, striving for compromise and delivering results rather than political bickering. During her 2024 re-election to Congress, Nikki outperformed her opponent by 16 percent and increased her winning margins in every county across the district. Nikki attributes this success to her unwavering focus on addressing everyday issues and her willingness to listen to the American people, building bridges across the aisle. This approach has earned her the role of Vice-Chair of Policy for the New Democrat Coalition– a group of 100 lawmakers focused on bridging the partisan divide with solutions to the most pressing issues facing our country and our communities. And she’s been ranked as one of the most bipartisan members of the House of Representatives by the Common Ground Committee for her work across the party aisle.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionThis year, farmers across the country have been squeezed from every direction. Input costs remain stubbornly high, critical export markets are becoming less reliable, and farm bankruptcies are on the rise. Congress must provide the stability and support our agricultural communities need. That’s why I fought for a Farm Bill that would deliver real relief and long-term certainty for farmers.
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This year, farmers across the country have been squeezed from every direction. Input costs remain stubbornly high, critical export markets are becoming less reliable, and farm bankruptcies are on the rise. Congress must provide the stability and support our agricultural communities need. That’s why I fought for a Farm Bill that would deliver real relief and long-term certainty for farmers.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionThe first bill I introduced in Congress was bipartisan legislation to help workers without college degrees earn higher wages through apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. My Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Programs (LEAP) Act will create more apprenticeship opportunities for workers and encourage businesses to invest in their workers.
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The first bill I introduced in Congress was bipartisan legislation to help workers without college degrees earn higher wages through apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. My Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Programs (LEAP) Act will create more apprenticeship opportunities for workers and encourage businesses to invest in their workers.
Lowering Costs
Candidate positionThe Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits saved families hundreds of dollars a month on their health insurance premiums. When the Trump Administration let those credits expire, costs surged for working families. I’m working to restore and extend these savings so families can keep more of their hard-earned money while maintaining access to affordable health care.
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The Affordable Care Act’s enhanced tax credits saved families hundreds of dollars a month on their health insurance premiums. When the Trump Administration let those credits expire, costs surged for working families. I’m working to restore and extend these savings so families can keep more of their hard-earned money while maintaining access to affordable health care.
Creating Jobs
Candidate positionSince World War I, a shoe manufacturing company in Belleville has been equipping our military service members with combat boots. During my first term in Congress, I was thrilled to announce nearly $20 million in contracts for Belleville Boots and work on a bipartisan basis to support American military equipment manufacturing in the National Defense Authorization Act.
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Since World War I, a shoe manufacturing company in Belleville has been equipping our military service members with combat boots. During my first term in Congress, I was thrilled to announce nearly $20 million in contracts for Belleville Boots and work on a bipartisan basis to support American military equipment manufacturing in the National Defense Authorization Act.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionI worked to include amendments that protect the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which helps farmers invest in conservation practices that strengthen their operations and protect natural resources. I also fought to preserve farmers’ access to USDA funding for voluntary solar energy projects and to restore critical SNAP funding, which supports families while strengthening demand for the food our farmers produce. While House Republicans refused to include these amendments, our work is far from over. I will continue to push for a better Farm Bill that works for our growers — not one that leaves them behind.
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I worked to include amendments that protect the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), which helps farmers invest in conservation practices that strengthen their operations and protect natural resources. I also fought to preserve farmers’ access to USDA funding for voluntary solar energy projects and to restore critical SNAP funding, which supports families while strengthening demand for the food our farmers produce. While House Republicans refused to include these amendments, our work is far from over. I will continue to push for a better Farm Bill that works for our growers — not one that leaves them behind.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionWhen our service members return home, it’s critical that we help them find good-paying careers. I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to expand veterans’ access to jobs in science, technology and health care by making it easier to access STEM scholarships.
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When our service members return home, it’s critical that we help them find good-paying careers. I’ve introduced bipartisan legislation to expand veterans’ access to jobs in science, technology and health care by making it easier to access STEM scholarships.
Lowering Costs
Candidate positionI’ve introduced the Rural Energy Savings Act to provide interest-free loans to utilities in order to help families and businesses afford energy efficiency improvements, reducing emissions and saving money at the same time.
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I’ve introduced the Rural Energy Savings Act to provide interest-free loans to utilities in order to help families and businesses afford energy efficiency improvements, reducing emissions and saving money at the same time.
Creating Jobs
Candidate positionOur region is also a national leader in the development of cutting-edge agricultural technology. I was proud to advocate for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Fermentation and Agriculture Bio-manufacturing (IFAB) Hub to receive designation as a national Tech Hub. This designation further establishes the Decatur to Champaign region as America’s Ag Tech Corridor and will help to attract additional federal investment to our region.
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Our region is also a national leader in the development of cutting-edge agricultural technology. I was proud to advocate for the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s Fermentation and Agriculture Bio-manufacturing (IFAB) Hub to receive designation as a national Tech Hub. This designation further establishes the Decatur to Champaign region as America’s Ag Tech Corridor and will help to attract additional federal investment to our region.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionFrom aging infrastructure and a rapidly changing economy to limited access to health care and high-speed internet, our nation’s rural communities are facing an onslaught of generational challenges. In Congress, I’m fighting for investment and support to help our smallest cities and towns survive and thrive in our modern economy. I introduced the Rebuild Rural America Act to invest in economic development and allow the federal government to provide more comprehensive support to rural communities.
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From aging infrastructure and a rapidly changing economy to limited access to health care and high-speed internet, our nation’s rural communities are facing an onslaught of generational challenges. In Congress, I’m fighting for investment and support to help our smallest cities and towns survive and thrive in our modern economy. I introduced the Rebuild Rural America Act to invest in economic development and allow the federal government to provide more comprehensive support to rural communities.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionAfter Akorn Pharmaceuticals left working families high and dry with a surprise closure of their Decatur facility, I introduced the Fair Warning Act to strengthen advance notice requirements and ensure that companies are treating working people with the dignity and respect they deserve. I also worked with state and local leaders to successfully attract a new employer to restore jobs at the facility.
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After Akorn Pharmaceuticals left working families high and dry with a surprise closure of their Decatur facility, I introduced the Fair Warning Act to strengthen advance notice requirements and ensure that companies are treating working people with the dignity and respect they deserve. I also worked with state and local leaders to successfully attract a new employer to restore jobs at the facility.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionSince coming to Congress, I’ve been proud to fight for local farmers and advance biofuels policy. Higher blends of biofuels help folks save money at the gas pump, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and cut carbon emissions. It’s also supports critical markets for Illinois family farmers – so many of whom I represent in Congress. That’s why I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and see it pass the House with overwhelming support. This is a win for the American people — to deliver lower fuel prices and more certainty for our farmers.
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Since coming to Congress, I’ve been proud to fight for local farmers and advance biofuels policy. Higher blends of biofuels help folks save money at the gas pump, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and cut carbon emissions. It’s also supports critical markets for Illinois family farmers – so many of whom I represent in Congress. That’s why I was proud to introduce the bipartisan Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act and see it pass the House with overwhelming support. This is a win for the American people — to deliver lower fuel prices and more certainty for our farmers.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionWhen I’m back home, families tell me every day about the challenges of finding and affording quality child care. The child care workforce remains one of the slowest sectors to recover from the pandemic, and far too many child care workers are still paid wages that don’t reflect the essential work they do. That’s why I’ve been proud to champion investments in our child care system, including cosponsoring the Child Care Stabilization Act to strengthen child care programs, support workers, and help ensure families can access the care they need.
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When I’m back home, families tell me every day about the challenges of finding and affording quality child care. The child care workforce remains one of the slowest sectors to recover from the pandemic, and far too many child care workers are still paid wages that don’t reflect the essential work they do. That’s why I’ve been proud to champion investments in our child care system, including cosponsoring the Child Care Stabilization Act to strengthen child care programs, support workers, and help ensure families can access the care they need.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionCentral and Southern Illinois are home to some of our nation’s leading agricultural research institutions, but our nation’s investment in this research has fallen behind China and the European Union. I’m working to ensure that the United States can continue to lead the world in food production and food security. That’s why I introduced the America Grows Act to put our money where our mouth is and up our investments in the incredible work being done at places like the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the community colleges and agribusinesses throughout our region.
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Central and Southern Illinois are home to some of our nation’s leading agricultural research institutions, but our nation’s investment in this research has fallen behind China and the European Union. I’m working to ensure that the United States can continue to lead the world in food production and food security. That’s why I introduced the America Grows Act to put our money where our mouth is and up our investments in the incredible work being done at places like the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and the community colleges and agribusinesses throughout our region.
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionSupporting the Next Generation of Family Farmers
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Supporting the Next Generation of Family Farmers
Supporting Family Farmers
Candidate positionWhen residents of Cahokia Heights lost access to their local grocery store, I knew we had to do more to ensure that every family has access to healthy, affordable food options — no matter where they live. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of the Food Deserts Act to support grocery stores in areas with limited food access. I’ve also signed on to support the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act and the Enhance Access to SNAP for College Students Act to address food insecurity for Americans of all ages.
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When residents of Cahokia Heights lost access to their local grocery store, I knew we had to do more to ensure that every family has access to healthy, affordable food options — no matter where they live. I’m proud to be a cosponsor of the Food Deserts Act to support grocery stores in areas with limited food access. I’ve also signed on to support the Delivering for Rural Seniors Act and the Enhance Access to SNAP for College Students Act to address food insecurity for Americans of all ages.
Gallon of Milk
Candidate positionNikki was elected to Congress in 2023 and hit the ground running, already delivering real results for working families, our veterans and our farmers. She serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. On these committees, she is advocating for federal policies that support Illinois family farmers and our nation’s heroes. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, fighting to protect workers’ rights and advance the labor movement.
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Nikki was elected to Congress in 2023 and hit the ground running, already delivering real results for working families, our veterans and our farmers. She serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, where she is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. On these committees, she is advocating for federal policies that support Illinois family farmers and our nation’s heroes. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Congressional Labor Caucus, fighting to protect workers’ rights and advance the labor movement.
Standing with Workers
Candidate positionAfter hearing about the upfront cost of purchasing tools for folks interested in pursuing a career in the building trades, I introduced the bipartisan Tools Tax Deduction Act to make it easier for apprenticeship employees and construction workers to afford the equipment their jobs require.
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After hearing about the upfront cost of purchasing tools for folks interested in pursuing a career in the building trades, I introduced the bipartisan Tools Tax Deduction Act to make it easier for apprenticeship employees and construction workers to afford the equipment their jobs require.