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Candidates › IL-06 race › 2025–2026
Sean Casten
D Democratic nominee for U.S. House, IL-06
Representative since 2019
Other accounts (2)
The same platforms’ other accounts, such as a congressional office’s or an earlier campaign’s.
- On the ballot
- On the general election ballotNov 3, 2026 · Illinois US House 6
- Where to vote
- Find your polling place (opens in a new tab) · More ways to vote
- Top priorities
- Education
- Energy and Climate Policy
- Gun Safety
- Health Care
- Immigration Reform
- In Congress
- Representative since 2019 · votes with their party 98% of the time. See the record · Office phone 202-225-4561
- Money
- $2.5M raised, $2.2M spent, $1M cash on hand (through Oct 14, 2026). Where it comes from
- Who gives
- 13% of individual money from donors at $200 or less · 71% from Illinois · largest committee giver BMO FINANCIAL CORP GOOD GOVERNANCE FUND: FEDERAL (BMO PAC), $10K
- Outside groups
- $12.1K supporting Casten
- Backed by
- Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate · Planned Parenthood Action Fund · Chicago Tribune and 29 more. As the campaign lists them
- Sponsored most in
- Energy, Finance and Financial Sector, Environmental Protection
11 priorities from castenforcongress.com, in the order they are listed there. Every heading and the text under it is copied exactly, as one passage for each page it is from, and links to that place on the page; hover a source to see which passage it opens.
Sean believes that our most fundamental responsibility as a nation is to provide access to a world-class public education for every child, regardless of race, religion, economic status, or zip code. We must commit to providing universal early childhood education and ensure that all students have access to a top-quality elementary, middle, and high school, as well as trade school and higher education opportunities.
Sean continues to advocate for the protection of the U.S. Department of Education and other agencies that President Trump is attempting to dismantle in his attacks on American institutions. He continues to fight to protect the DOE and the millions of children this critical department serves.
In Congress, Sean:
- Passed into law an amendment to help sexual assault victims on college campuses by ensuring campus faculty are trained to recognize victims of sexual or domestic violence.
- Introduced a bipartisan bill with Representative Tim Burchett (TN-02) to quadruple the amount teachers can deduct on qualified out-of-pocket expenses on their annual tax returns.
- Introduced legislation that would ensure Pell Grants keep up with the cost of inflation.
- Introduced bipartisan legislation to require accreditation institutions to take action to protect students from sudden school closures.
- Introduced legislation with Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to ensure educational support professionals can access benefits through the Family and Medical Leave Act.
- Cosponsored legislation that addresses bullying in elementary and secondary schools and ensures local education agencies create and implement anti-bullying policies.
We are at our best when every child has equal access to opportunity, and that requires having strong schools in every district. Sean is proud to have sent his children to public schools in IL-06.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/education
Illinois residents are experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand through increased energy demands for home heating and cooling, more frequent extreme weather, rising home insurance premiums due to climate-related disasters, disrupted growing seasons, and threats to our treasured natural landscapes and ecosystems.
As a Congressman, scientist, and clean energy entrepreneur, Sean’s mission is to combat the climate crisis and protect our planet for future generations. Sean has championed high-impact, market-based climate change legislation as Vice Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee, Vice Chair of the Sustainable Environment and Energy Coalition (SEEC), and former member of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis and House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
Sean is the lead author of the Cheap Energy Act, a consumer-focused approach to US energy policy. He believes that, for far too long, we have prioritized energy companies and their profits. We must shift this approach, and put American consumers first. That is the key to expanding access to cheap, reliable, and clean energy sources.
In Congress, Sean:
- Helped write and pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which became law in 2022. The IRA was America’s largest-ever climate and energy investment and is one of the most significant climate action measures ever taken.
- Secured $505 million for clean energy battery storage to help increase the reliability and resilience of the electrical grid.
- Secured $500 million for the research and development of low-carbon industrial technologies.
- Championed clean energy provisions that were signed into law to require 10% of existing and future military installations to reach net zero emissions by 2035.
Sean introduced the following energy and climate legislation:
- The End Oil and Gas Tax Subsidies Act to eliminate loopholes and tax breaks that benefit the oil and gas industry, because fossil fuels shouldn’t cost taxpayers $650 billion a year as they pollute our air and water.
- The Interregional Transmission Planning Improvement Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at creating jobs and expediting the transition to a clean energy grid.
- The Climate Risk Disclosure Act to require public companies to disclose their financial and business risks related to climate change.
- The Tradable Performance Standard Act to eradicate 40% of US greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
- The LNG Public Interest Determination Act to help make sure that the U.S. Department of Energy considers how new liquefied natural gas (LNG) pipelines impact energy costs and American consumers before issuing permits.
- The Exported Carbon Emissions Act to allow us to better track the carbon dioxide and methane emissions caused by exporting liquefied natural gas to other countries.
- The Vehicle Energy Performance Act to encourage car manufactures to sell energy-efficient vehicles and incentivize consumers to purchase new vehicles with better-than-average energy performance
- The Voluntary Sustainable Apparel Labeling Act and the Voluntary Food Climate Labeling Act to help consumers better understand the carbon footprint of the clothing and food they purchase.
As the former CEO of two successful clean energy companies, Sean knows that we can lower carbon emissions and create jobs — because he’s done it. Sean believes that the United States must use the power of competitive markets to encourage energy innovation and create clean energy jobs.
The good news is that fixing many existing environmental policies doesn’t require political conflict — it requires electing experts who understand the issues and can reach across the political divide. Sean is committed to following the facts and working with leaders on both sides of the aisle to build our country’s clean energy infrastructure and keep America as the top innovator in a rapidly growing sector of the global economy.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/energy-and-climate-policy
Like his constituents, Sean is heartbroken by the ongoing gun violence epidemic. No one should fear going to school, the grocery store, their place of worship, or anywhere else because of gun violence. Each year, thousands of Americans lose their lives to gun-related suicide, domestic violence, and other heartbreaking episodes. In 2024 alone, more than 41,000 Americans lost their lives to gun violence. We can and must do more to prevent these deaths.
In Congress, Sean:
- Introduced the Gun Trafficker Detention Act which would create a requirement for gun owners to report if their guns were stolen or lost within 48 hours.
- Cosponsored the Bipartisan Background Checks Act which would keep guns out of the hands of people who should not have them, such as convicted felons and domestic abusers.
- Cosponsored the Assault Weapons Ban which would outlaw weapons of war such as semi-automatic guns with military-style features.
- Cosponsored the Prevent Gun Trafficking Act to combat illegal gun purchases and transfers.
- Cosponsored the Protect Children Through Safe Gun Ownership Act which includes provisions to protect children from unsecured firearms such as requiring education programs and safe firearm storage.
- Cosponsored Ethan’s Law, legislation which ensures safe gun storage and prevents children from accessing firearms while unattended.
We have seen far too many preventable shootings in our schools, on our streets, and in our places of worship. Sean believes that it’s time to offer Americans smart, effective gun laws that save lives.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/gun-safety
Sean believes that everyone has a right to universal high quality, affordable health care. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) took a big step toward universal health care by providing more than 20 million additional Americans with access to affordable insurance and by protecting 5.4 million Illinoisans living with pre-existing conditions. However, the work is not done. We need to protect and strengthen the ACA by ensuring that all Americans have health insurance and fix flaws in the health insurance marketplace to make sure insurance options remain available and affordable.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean worked to pass the American Rescue Plan (ARP). The ARP increased ACA subsidies and helped folks pay for insurance through the marketplace. As a result, approximately 130,500 uninsured Illinoisans were eligible for assistance. President Biden signed the ARP into law in 2021.
Sean also helped write and pass the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). This monumental legislation capped out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for seniors at $2,000 and ensured Medicare beneficiaries paid no more than $35 per month for insulin.
Sean strongly supports expanding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and making these tax credits permanent. He has co-sponsored legislation in support of making these tax credits permanent and has taken steps in the U.S. House of Representative to force a vote on extending these ACA credits to protect access to affordable health care for millions of Americans.
In Congress, Sean:
- Introduced the Protecting Consumer Access to Generic Drugs Act to prohibit name-brand companies from preventing generic drug manufactures from putting their products on the market.
- Cosponsored the Protecting Pre-Existing Conditions and Making Health Care More Affordable Act to make insurance more affordable for low- and middle-income families, enshrine protections for people with pre-existing conditions, and stop Republicans attacking the ACA and driving up costs and the number of uninsured Americans
- Introduced the FLAT Prices Act to impose penalties on pharmaceutical companies that price gouge consumers.
- Introduced the Ensuring Seniors’ Access to COVID Treatment to require Medicare Part D plans to cover drugs that treat COVID without cost-sharing, prior authorization, or other utilization management barriers.
- Cosponsored the bipartisan MOMMA’s Bill to address the maternal mortality crisis by implementing evidence-based practices and policies to improve maternal health outcomes.
- Cosponsored the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to fill gaps in existing legislation in support of Black maternal health by addressing all aspects of health, expanding eligibility for programs such as WIC, and increasing research into maternal health disparities.
- Cosponsored the Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Act to improve mental and behavioral health and prevent burnout among health care providers.
- Cosponsored the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act to give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies, stop drug companies from charging Americans more than other countries for the same medication, to create a new, $2,000 out-of-pocket limit on prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries, and more.
- Cosponsored the CONNECT for Health Act to permanently expand Medicare access to telehealth services.
- Cosponsored the Mainstreaming Addiction Treatment Act to remove restrictions for providers to treat substance use disorder.
Sean has heard from constituents across the district about the strain health care costs put on families. He believes that we can have higher quality health care at a lower price by building on the ACA and increasing competition in the insurance marketplace.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/health-care
Sean knows that we are a nation of immigrants. Our country was founded on the willingness to uproot and resettle by risk-takers, adventurers, and hard workers.
The Trump Administration’s weaponization of the Executive Branch to disregard Constitutional Rights and aggressively pursue a mass deportation agenda endangers both the safety and dignity of our community. Sean believes the Legislative Branch must act as a check on the Administration’s lawlessness and use every oversight power available to protect the rights of all within our country.
Sean supports comprehensive immigration reform and finding pathways to citizenship, but he adamantly opposes the Trump Administration’s cruel and inhumane policies that aim to deport individuals without regard for due process.
Sean firmly opposes Trump’s “Operation Midway Blitz” and believes it is an example of the Administration’s authoritarian overreach. Sean has spoken out against the unacceptable conditions at the Broadview ICE Facility and has worked with other members of the Illinois Congressional Delegation to shed light on the ongoing constitutional violations occurring at the detention center.
In Congress, Sean has fought back against President Trump’s policies by:
- Joining Democrats in the Illinois Congressional Delegation to demand Kristi Noem end the harmful and unlawful immigration operations in Illinois. Sean has condemned these actions for violating due process, being clouded in secrecy, and serving no purpose other than to disrupt Illinois communities.
- Demanding a meeting with Russell Hott, the Chicago Field Director for ICE, alongside other Illinois Democratic Members to ensure Congress can conduct oversight of the Broadview ICE Facility and Operation Midway Blitz.
- Demanding President Trump immediately withdraw National Guard troops from Illinois.
- Using Congressional oversight power to demand answers about the inhumane conditions of detention facilities like “Alligator Alcatraz”.
- Cosponsoring the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act, which prohibits immigration enforcement agents within 1,000 feet of places such as schools, health care facilities, and places of worship.
- Cosponsoring the No Secret Police Act, which prohibits federal officers from using face coverings when conducting arrests and ensures clear identification of officers.
In Congress, Sean has supported immigration reform by:
- Cosponsoring the American Dream and Promise Act, which would create a pathway to citizenship for DREAMERS and those with Temporary Protected Status because they cannot safely return to their country of origin.
- Cosponsoring the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act, which would require the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to enact safety and hygiene standards for individuals in their care.
- Voting for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act which establishes a program for agricultural workers in the U.S., along with their spouses and children, to earn permanent legal status through continued agricultural employment and ensuring the stabilization and preservation of our agricultural and rural heritage”
- Cosponsoring a resolution to express that the U.S. House of Representatives is committed to keeping the United States open to those lawfully seeking refuge and asylum regardless of their race or country of origin and condemning white supremacy.
- Cosponsoring the U.S. Citizenship Act which establishes a new, modernized immigration system and provides pathways to citizenship for immigrants who contribute to our economy.
Sean believes Ronald Reagan was right when he said that the day America stops welcoming immigrants is the day we stop being Americans. The United States has always stood as a beacon of hope, and we must always seek basic human rights protections, advocate for freedom, and pursue democracy. Sean will continue to oppose the Trump Administration’s assault on American immigrant communities.
Those who immigrate to the United States overwhelmingly do so with the idea that they will have more opportunity in this country than they do at home. Immigrants strengthen our country, and we shouldn’t shut our door to those who believe in the American dream.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/immigration-reform
Americans deserve a strong economy with good jobs that enable us to provide for our families. Sean believes that all Americans should have access to economic opportunity no matter their zip code.
Sean has worked vigorously to address the rising cost of living. Sean is a leader in addressing rising energy costs by introducing legislation to help lower Americans’ electricity bills. Sean believes in policies that put the needs of American consumers first.
In Congress, Sean:
- Secured $1 billion for Illinois in federal funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act (IIJA) to create good-paying jobs in Illinois while improving roads and bridges.
- Cosponsored the Raise the Wage Act to increase the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour. Voted for the Moving Forward Act to make transformative investments in American infrastructure and create millions of jobs while taking bold action to combat the climate crisis.
- Cosponsored the Protecting the Right to Organize Act (PRO Act) to enhance workers’ right to organize for better wages and working conditions.
- Cosponsored the bipartisan Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act to ensure older workers are protected against age discrimination.
- Cosponsored the Social Security 2100 Act to strengthen benefits for current and future generations.
- Cosponsored the American Energy Worker Opportunity Act of 2021 to provide more benefits to workers who have been impacted by the transition to a clean energy economy.
Sean disagrees with the idea that we have to pick between creating a better environment or creating jobs, because he spent his career doing both. Clean energy is an area that can grow jobs by investing in research and technology, and allowing the next generation of wind turbines, solar panels, fuel cells, and other technologies to be designed and manufactured right here, by American workers. We can make the American dream a possibility for everyone while investing in our future. Sean is committed to building a stronger, fairer economy that helps Americans reach their full potential.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/jobs-and-growing-our-economy
Sean is steadfast in his belief that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, and to deny anyone the full set of rights and opportunities afforded to any other citizen is wrong and unconscionable. To establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, and promote the general welfare, we must continue to expand and fight for inclusivity and equality.
In Congress, Sean:
- Championed House Resolution 124 to oppose President Trump’s 2019 ban on transgender people serving in the military.
- Cosponsored the Equality Act to extend non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ Americans in employment, housing, credit, education, public spaces and services, federally funded programs, and jury service.
- Introduced the Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act to prevent the courts from determining that crime victims should be awarded less money in damages on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation, as well as on the basis of race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
- Cosponsored and voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act to codify the right to same-sex and interracial marriage.
Sean is a proud member of the Congressional Equality Caucus and works to further the extension of equal rights and improve the health and well-being for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. He believes that we must repeal any discriminatory policies and eliminate hate-motivated violence that target the LGBTQ+ community.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/lgbtq-rights
Sean is committed to fighting for racial justice in our communities. We must take bold action to ensure that our country lives up to its founding principle that all people are created equal.
In Congress, Sean:
- Cosponsored the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which would ban chokeholds, stop no-knock warrants, eliminate qualified immunity, establish a National Police Misconduct Registry, and end racial and religious profiling.
- Cosponsored the For the People Act, which would stop states from suppressing voting rights and vote purging practices that disproportionately target marginalized groups.
- Introduced the Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act, which would prohibit courts from considering race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or actual or perceived sexual orientation when calculating damages in civil lawsuits.
- Advocates for environmental justice, including protecting communities of color that are most affected by pollution, extreme weather, food insecurity, and other consequences of climate change.
Sean believes that Black Lives Matter. Bigotry will not end in this country without people standing up against hatred in their own community. There is no easy way out, and we must confront the realities of systemic racism every day.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/racial-justice
The American democratic experiment depends on our faith that our vote counts. Any challenge to that belief is an attack on our democracy, and Sean believes that we must be vigilant to protect against those who would seek to disenfranchise American citizens or compromise the integrity of our electoral system.
In Congress, Sean:
- Introduced the Military VOTE Act, to ensure military members serving overseas are able to vote in our elections.
- Cosponsored the For the People Act, which would create national automatic voter registration, end partisan gerrymandering, and improve our election security, among other reforms to enhance and safeguard our democracy.
- Cosponsored the Freedom to Vote Act to strengthen voting rights, protect the integrity of our elections, and reform campaign finance.
- Cosponsored the Voting Right Enhancement Act to update the Voting Rights Act’s formula to determine which states have shown a pattern of voting rights violations.
- Cosponsored the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore and strengthen parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Sean is also a strong advocate for vote-by-mail. It is a safe and secure way to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote. Additionally, Sean believes Election Day should be a federal holiday.
Democracy should not be a partisan issue. We all have a stake in promoting free and fair elections, and Sean is committed to standing up for everyone’s right to vote.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/the-right-to-vote
Sean believes we have a moral obligation to provide our servicemembers with quality education, health care, and employment when they return to civilian life.
Sean’s father was a U.S. Marine and served our country in Vietnam, and his grandfather served in the European theater during WWII and fought at the Battle of the Bulge. They fought and protected our democracy alongside many of their fellow Americans from all walks of life. Sean grew up around their commitment to service and has first-hand appreciation for the skills and character that are common to our veterans.
In Congress, Sean:
- Cosponsored the Improving Benefits for Underserved Veterans Act, which would require the VA to publish a report on who is receiving veterans benefits with information to ensure all veterans are receiving their benefits and care.
- Voted to pass the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act into law, which makes Navy veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, eligible for extended VA benefits.
- Cosponsored the Accelerating Veterans Recovery Act, which would establish a task force to promote and use outdoor spaces and lands as part of veteran mental health therapy.
- Cosponsored the Major Richard Star Act to eliminate the dollar-for-dollar offset and ensure combat-disabled retirees with fewer than 20 years of service can concurrently receive retirement pay and disability compensation.
- Voted to pass the Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act, which expands and improves home and community-based services available to disabled and elderly veterans.
- Cosponsored the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act, which was signed into law by President Biden and ensures toxin-exposed veterans have access to the treatments they need.
- Cosponsored the Vet CENTERS for Mental Health Act, which directs the VA to expand access to community-based counseling centers.
- Voted to pass the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act to provide expanded career opportunities to veterans and active duty military members.
- Cosponsored the Feed Hungry Veterans Act to expand veterans’ access to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and for disabled veterans to access long-term food assistance.
We owe our freedom to our veterans and servicemembers. It is a debt that we cannot truly repay, but we must never stop trying.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/veterans-policy
Sean is 100% pro-choice and believes every woman has the right to make her own health care decisions regardless of her income, race, place of work, or insurance. Sean believes in supporting and expanding women’s rights and opportunities by protecting reproductive rights, fighting for equal pay for equal work, defending women subjected to harassment and abuse, and much more.
In Congress, Sean:
- Introduced the Period PROUD Act, which increases access to menstrual products for low-income individuals.
- Introduced the Fair Calculations in Civil Damages Act, which prohibits the consideration of gender, race, ethnicity, or actual or perceived sexual orientation when calculating damages in civil lawsuits.
- Introduced the Financial Empowerment and Protection Act, which removes barriers to access financial information which women often need to safely leave abusive relationships.
- Cosponsored and helped pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) into law, which fills gaps in existing domestic violence laws. Sean also introduced an amendment which adds campus faculty to grant programs so they are trained to recognize victims of domestic or sexual abuse.
- Cosponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act to ensure that women receive the same pay as their male counterparts.
- Cosponsored the Women’s Health Protection Act, which will protect the right to access abortion care throughout the United States.
- Cosponsored the Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act to repeal the Helms Amendment, which attacks reproductive rights by banning the use of U.S. foreign assistance funds on abortion services overseas. Repealing the Helms Amendment is a critical step toward achieving reproductive and economic freedom and equity for millions worldwide.
- Cosponsored H.J.Res. 25, a resolution to ensure the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which would prohibit discrimination based on sex.
Too often, our laws and culture fall short on granting women true equality. Sean believes that we must address these shortfalls and take bold action to expand and protect these rights and equalities.
source ↗ (opens the page at this passage) · castenforcongress.com/issues/womens-reproductive-rights