Who's In the Race

Rep. Mike Bost (R-IL) faces Democrat Julie Fortier in the Nov. 3 general election in Illinois's 12th District. ​

Mike Bost has represented the district since 2015 and previously served two decades in the Illinois House of Representatives, where he chaired the Republican Caucus; he also served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1979 to 1982. Fortier is a U.S. Air Force veteran and cancer research scientist. Both nominees ran unopposed in their March 17 primaries.

What They Stand For

Bost has proposed reducing regulatory burdens on farmers and ranchers and supporting beginning farmers, according to his official House website. He's also supported:

  • Moving toward energy independence,
  • Making health care more accessible and affordable; and
  • Moving the economy forward and reining in government spending.

Fortier has proposed expanding access to rural health care, according to her campaign website. She's also supported:

  • Protecting veterans and investing in public schools,
  • Addressing climate change responsibly; and
  • Defending reproductive rights and strengthening democracy.

The Money Behind the Race

Through June 30, according to allciv.com, Bost had raised about $1.3 million and held about $790,000 in cash. Fortier had raised about $88,000 and had about $60,000 on hand. Outside groups have spent $10 supporting Fortier, with Sierra Club Independent Action as the sole spender, according to FEC records.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Bost, a 92.76% chance of winning as of Oct. 14; Democrats, whose nominee is Fortier, stood at 7.24%.

Bost won the district with about 75% of the vote in 2022 and about 74% in 2024. Statewide, Democrats have held 14 of Illinois's 17 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Republicans holding the remaining three. Kamala Harris carried Illinois in the 2024 presidential election with about 54% of the vote.

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