Who's In the Race

Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL) faces Republican James Marter in the Nov. 3 general election in Illinois's 14th District. The contest is a rematch: Underwood defeated Marter in the 2024 general election. ​

Underwood has represented the district since 2019 and is a registered nurse; she co-founded and co-chairs the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on March 17.

Marter is a software consultant who founded a software consulting company in September 2002 and previously served as chair of the Kendall County Republican Party. He won the Republican primary with about 75 percent of the vote over Gary Vician.

What They Stand For

Underwood has proposed lowering health care costs, according to her campaign website. She's also supported:

  • Reproductive freedom,
  • Preventing gun violence through data-driven, evidence-based policies,
  • climate change as a priority issue; and
  • Immigration and border security.

Marter has proposed fighting government waste, fraud, and abuse and balancing the federal budget, according to his campaign website.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show Underwood raised about $2.4 million through June 30 and had about $1.1 million in the bank. Marter raised about $141,000 through June 30 and had about $32,000 cash on hand, according to FEC filings; he also carried about $32,000 in debt.

Outside spending in the race totaled just $35 as of Oct. 13, all of it supporting Underwood, split between GiveGreen United Action ($25) and Sierra Club Independent Action ($10).

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Underwood, a 95.57 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13.

Underwood won the 2022 race with about 54 percent of the vote and the 2024 race with about 55 percent. Democrats held 14 of Illinois's 17 U.S. House seats after both the 2022 and 2024 elections, with Republicans holding three. In the 2024 presidential race, Democratic nominee Kamala Harris carried Illinois with about 54 percent of the vote.

Voters in the district can register in person through Tuesday, Oct. 6, or online through Sunday, Oct. 18; grace-period registration is also available through Election Day, Nov. 3, with registration and voting occurring together, according to the Kane County Clerk and Illinois Online Voter Registration.

Early voting begins Thursday, Sept. 24, with weekday hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the clerk's office; hours vary by location. Mail-ballot applications must be submitted by Thursday, Oct. 29. Polls on Election Day are open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to the Kane County Clerk.

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