This reliably Republican district covers the northwest corner of the state including Freeport and Galena. First-term Republican Andrew Chesney, 44, is running for reelection. He faces retired salesman Joseph Berning, 75.
Berning is a lifelong resident of Jo Daviess County and grew up on a dairy and hog farm north of Galena. He criticizes Chesney as a reliable supporter of “everything the federal regime does.” His top priority appears to be taxing the wealthy, “without which, other important goals will not be achievable.”
Chesney indeed is staunchly conservative, and we don’t support some of his positions, particularly his opposition to reasonable gun control measures. We endorsed him in 2022 and do so again in the interest of limiting Democratic Party dominance in Springfield, which is impeding balanced solutions to Illinois’ many challenges. Andrew Chesney is endorsed.
Read all of the Tribune Editorial Board’s endorsements for the 2026 Illinois general election here.
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