Local and statewide Illinois candidates gathered for Metea’s Candidate Fair, designed to connect students with the democratic process and to encourage informed voting. The event allowed students to meet elected officials face to face, ask questions, get to know their candidates, and see firsthand how campaigns are run. From County Board races to statewide offices, the fair offered students a chance to learn more about numerous candidates and what they are running for. 

District Elections:

Michael Farmer (Republican): Recently retired after a 37-year career in the logistics industry. He is running for DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner, District 5. Farmer focuses on preserving and maintaining forest preserves for future generations, increasing educational and recreational opportunities, improving outreach to younger residents, and enhancing safety around the preserves and their access points.https://ballotpedia.org/Michael_Farmer_(DuPage_County_Forest_Preserve_Commissioner_Board_District_5,_Illinois,_candidate_2026) 

Barbara O’Meara ( Democrat, Incumbent): Is a DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner, District 5, running for reelection. Serving the board since 2020, previously worked as a Naperville Township Precinct Committee woman, Library board member, and community activist supporting local environmental and civic efforts. O’Meara focuses on conservation and restoration of natural lands, expanding access to outdoor spaces, and environmentally sound infrastructure improvements within the preserves. https://www.barbo4forestpreserve.com/ 

Daniel Hebreard (Democrat, Incumbent): The President of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District, running for reelection. Spent 13 years working in the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, and was reelected as president in 2018. Hebreard focuses on professionalizing governance, advancing conservation and large-scale habitat restoration, implementing sustainability and green energy initiatives, completing a comprehensive master plan for preserves, and ensuring visitor accessibility and safety. https://www.danielhebreard.com/ 

Daniel Alejandro Lomeli (Republican): He is running for the DuPage County Board from District 5. Graduated with degrees in political science and philosophy, volunteered locally, and interned in Washington, D.C. before becoming engaged in local GOP activities. Lomeli focuses on engaging with his community, representing local voices in county budgeting and policy decisions, and encouraging civic involvement. https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-lomeli-63970025b 

Marylee Leu (Democrat): Is the president of the Regional Board of School Trustees for DuPage County. Is running for the DuPage County board from District 5. Previously served in the U.S. Navy as a hospital corpsman, worked in state government, and in nonprofits. Leu focuses on expanding affordable housing options, advancing sustainability and renewable energy initiatives, strengthening local economic opportunities and small business support, and ensuring county policies reflect people-first solutions for families and residents. https://maryleefordupage.com/ 

Rebecca Gamboa (Democrat): Is running for Regional Superintendent of Schools in DuPage County. Worked for over 29 years as a public school teacher, had leadership roles in teacher unions, including serving on the National Education Association and the Illinois Education Board of Directors. Gamboa focuses on strengthening public education by connecting educators with professional development, linking schools with community resources, protecting schools from disruption due to federal and political changes, addressing teacher shortages, and engaging all stakeholders to make the regional Superintendents office more accessible and collaborative. https://www.rebeccafordupageschools.com/meet-rebecca 

Senate:

Janet Yang Rohr (Incumbent Democrat): Is the state representative for Illinois 41st House District, running for reelection. She has served since 2021 after previously serving on the Naperville District 203 School Board. Rohr focuses on community engagement and party responsiveness, expanding access to affordable healthcare, lowering costs for families, and strengthening public education. and collaboration across diverse communities. https://www.janetforillinois.com/    https://www.repyangrohr.com/ 

Stephanie Trussell (Republican): Running for the Illinois House of Representatives District 42nd. Has previously been the GOP nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Illinois and a political activist advocating for accountability and changes in the state government. Trussell focuses on restoring “accountability, balance, and common sense” to state government by addressing high taxes, crime, job creation, parental rights in education, and improving the quality of schools and overall quality of life in Illinois. 

https://www.trussellforillinois.com/ 

Saba Haider (Democrat) – Is a DuPage County Board member and is running for the Illinois State House in the 84th District. She has chaired strategic planning and environmental committees and helped advance public health initiatives like the crisis recovery center. She has also been, for over a decade, a small business owner and community advocate. Haider focuses on expanding access to mental health and additional resources, promoting economic growth and efficient use of public funds, and advancing environmental sustainability and resilient infrastructure to improve the quality of life across her district. https://www.sabahaider.com/ 

Julie Berkowicz (Republican): is a Will County Board Member and Forest Preserve Commissioner for District 10. She is running for the Illinois State Senate in the 21st district. She has had leadership roles in homeowner associations and youth organizations and involvement in veterans and senior issues. Berkowicz focuses on improving affordability by opposing tax increases, supporting public safety and public health services, protecting farmland and local businesses, ensuring government spending is controlled to benefit families and employers, improving housing affordability, and pension funding. https://julieberkowicz.net/ 

Karina Villa (Incumbent Democrat): Is the Illinois state Senator for the 25th district. She is running for State Comptroller. She has previously worked as a school social worker and served on the West Chicago District 33 Board of Education. Villa focuses on protecting and prioritizing state budget investments that support working families, ensuring government accountability and transparency, expanding access to affordable healthcare and education, supporting affordable housing, and advocating for progressive tax policy. https://karinavilla.com/ 

Dr. Rober Renteria (Republican): Is a U.S. Army airborne veteran, author, and civic leader who founded the nonprofit ‘From the Barrio Foundation’. He is running for Illinois Lieutenant Governor along with candidate James Mendrick. Renteria focuses on youth empowerment and education, addressing bullying and violence, promoting personal responsibility and critical thinking skills, and strengthening character and resilience through curriculum and community outreach. https://mendrick4governor2026.com/dr-robert-renteria/ 

Robert Fioretti (Republican): Is a veteran attorney with over three decades of legal and public service experience. He is running for Illinois Attorney General. He has served as Senior Supervising Attorney in the General Litigation Division under Chicago Mayor Harold Washington, and served two terms as Chicago’s second Ward alderman. Fioretti focuses on protecting consumers and families from fraud and corporate abuse, holding the government accountable and exposing corruption, safeguarding civil rights and equal protection under the law, defending communities, and supporting local law enforcement. https://www.bobforillinois.com/ 

Darren Bailey (Republican): is a former Illinois state Senator for the 55th district and a former member of the Illinois House of Representatives. He is running for Governor of Illinois. He has served on the North Clay Board of Education for 17 years, including 12 as president. Bailey focuses on reducing taxes and government spending, challenging state policies he views as harmful to families and business, reversing high utility costs and repealing costly energy mandates, enforcing public safety, and emphasizing conservative values such as personal liberty and support for agriculture and rural communities. https://baileyforillinois.com/ 

U.S. Congress – For the House of Representatives:

Charlie Kim (Republican): Is working for the U.S. Department of State as a Fulbright Specialist in international security. He is running for the U.S. Congress Representative for the Illinois 11th congressional district. He has founded an international business advisory network with offices in 12 countries, engaging in community and national policy efforts focused on trade, law, and security. Kim focuses on enforcing immigration laws while reducing taxpayer burden, promoting parental and family rights, and protecting schools, supporting American workers and small businesses, improving access to effective healthcare and affordable medication, and defending constitutional rights and public safety. https://www.charlieincongress.us/ 

Jeff Walter (Republican): Is the Mayor of Elburn, Illinois. He is running for the House of Representatives in Illinois 11th congressional district. He is a retired U.S. Navy master chief petty officer (E-9) with over 20 years of military service. Walter focuses on protecting taxpayer dollars, defending individual freedoms, supporting small businesses and public safety, and advocating for practical solutions to local and national challenges. https://www.jeffwalterforcongress.com/ 

Bryan Maxwell (Democrat): Is an environmental research scientist and agricultural engineer at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, holding a doctorate in agricultural engineering. He is running for the U.S. Senate in Illinois, looking to succeed returning senator Dick Durbin. Maxwell focuses on redirecting federal spending to domestic needs, establishing Medicare for all, taxing billionaires and large corporations to reinvest in communities, addressing climate change and rural investment, and defending human rights and economic equity. https://mahometdaily.com/illinois-u-s-senate-republican-democratic-primary-voter-guide/?utm_source=chatgpt.com 

Jonathon Dean (Democrat): Is a lawyer, activist, litigator, and entrepreneur who started a solar energy business. He is running for the U.S. Senate. Dean focuses on lowering the cost of living, raising minimum wage, promoting Medicare for all, expanding affordable housing and renewable energy, strengthening unions, investing in education, reforming campaign finance and democracy processes, and protecting personal freedoms and public lands. https://www.dean4il.com/ 

Jeannie Evans (Republican): Is an attorney and antitrust litigator. She is running for U.S. Senate. She holds a law degree from Harvard Law School, and has been named an Illinois Super Lawyer Evans focuses on promoting small business growth and job creation, reducing the cost of living and cutting taxes, strengthening public safety and supporting law enforcement, modernizing education and workforce training, balancing the federal budget, supporting farmers and agriculture, advancing innovation and AI leadership, and holding powerful corporations accountable to lower prices and protection of privacy. https://www.jeannieevans.com/ 

Sean Brown (Democrat): Is an attorney and community advocate from Chicago. He is running for the U.S Senate. He has been recognized as a top trial lawyer. Brown focuses on expanding access to universal healthcare, comprehensive immigration reform, preventing violence through mental health and community support, and making higher education more affordable while strengthening safety, economic opportunity, and public services of Illinois residents. https://www.seanbrownforsenate.com/