Headline Text Here

<h2>Support Paul Nolley for Congress</h2><a href="https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nolley" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Donate Now! </a>

Text

Meet Paul

Header

Footer

News Post

Endorsements

Donate

Contact

Get your volunteers excited with a little intro to the events section!

Campaign Events

Events

Store

Donate

<h2>Privacy Policy</h2>Effective Date: April 28, 2025Nolley for Congress ("we" or "our campaign") is committed to protecting your privacy. This policy explains what data we collect, how we use it, and your choices.<h3>What We Collect</h3>We may collect:<ul><li>Contact info (name, email, phone, address)</li><li>Donation details (amount, employer, occupation) required by law</li><li>Website activity (IP, browser, pages visited)</li></ul><h3>How We Use Your Info</h3>We use your data to:<ul><li>Process donations in compliance with&nbsp;Federal Election Commission (FEC)&nbsp;rules</li><li>Keep you updated on campaign news, events, and volunteering</li><li>Improve our site and outreach</li></ul><h3>Disclosure of Information</h3>We do&nbsp;not sell or rent&nbsp;your data. We may share information with:<ul><li>Trusted vendors (e.g., ActBlue)</li><li>Government agencies like the FEC, as legally required</li></ul><h3>Cookies</h3>We use cookies to improve your experience and measure website performance. You can disable them in your browser settings.<h3>Your Rights</h3>You may:<ul><li>Unsubscribe from emails at any time</li><li>Request access or deletion of your personal data by contacting us at contact@nolleyforcongress.com</li></ul><h3>Children’s Privacy</h3>This site is not intended for children under 13. We do not knowingly collect their information.<h3>Policy Updates</h3>We may revise this policy. The latest version and revision date will always appear on this page.<h3>Contact</h3>Questions? Reach us at:Nolley for Congress P.O. Box 2166, Loves Park, IL 61130 contact@nolleyforcongress.com

Paul is focused on common sense solutions that are centered on the interests of everyday people. Recycling political talking points and toeing party lines has not worked for the American people. His campaign will fight for policies that produce real gains for working families.

Paul's Plan to Strengthen Working Families

Issues

Dozens of local organizations and leaders are standing together!

Your Name for Political Office

CALIFORNIA NURSES

1199 SEIU

NURSES 2

AMERICAN DIABETES

Logos

Check out recent campaign news here.

News

Volunteer 

Issues

<h2>Actions speak louder than campaign slogans.</h2><h3>That’s why Paul refuses big-money corporate PAC dollars and has earned the support of local workers throughout the district.</h3><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f55b3c6c-a3e4-4574-b22c-b7d33def2cb5/303093cd-e5e7-4d05-9980-a549ae880199/303093cd-e5e7-4d05-9980-a549ae880199.png?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C500%2C500&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="25" variant="base"><h4>He’s proud to be endorsed by the Illinois AFL-CIO. Because when workers stand together, they win together.</h4>Paul’s not here for the mega donors and political insiders who’ve rigged the system — and he won’t be taking orders from them. He is focused on the people they left behind.Paul lives in the same community he grew up in with his wife Andrea, a special education teacher, and their two children. He’s a husband, father, and worker. He's one of us —&nbsp;and he’s ready to fight like hell for us.

Issues Post

Washington has forgotten who it serves. Chip in today to help us change that. Our campaign is for regular people, not the one who've sold us out.

Fuel Our Campaign

<h3>Contribute now to support our campaign!</h3>

Landing Popup

Want Paul to speak to your group or at an upcoming meeting? Send a request through this form and he'll get back to you as soon as possible.

firstName

lastName

email

phoneNumber

zipOrPostalCode

textarea

Meeting &amp; Event Request

Long Form

<h2>Paul's not chasing a title or legacy.</h2><h3>He is running because he’s sick of watching politicians cater to the ultra-rich and well-connected while everyday people get left behind. </h3>He's seen the damage done by failed policies from both parties: factories shuttered, family farms sold off, small businesses squeezed, and young people leaving their hometowns behind because there aren't enough opportunities.It doesn’t have to be this way. Paul believes in an America where work is rewarded, not exploited. Where we expand modern American manufacturing and rebuild our communities with good-paying, family-sustaining careers. An America where veterans are not forgotten, corruption is rooted out, small business thrives, family farmers succeed, and unions are respected.

Privacy Policy

Events

Our campaign is powered by everyday people, not the powerful and well-connected. To win this fight we need you to sign up, lend a hand, and tell your friends, family, and neighbors. Sign up to join our campaign.

Join Our Fight

News

District Map

checkMark

Read below for some of our top priorities

Headline text here

IconCheckCircle1

Save Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid

End Corruption &amp; Pay-to-Play Politics

Preserve &amp; Protect Family Farms

Strengthen Unions and Workers' Rights

Revive Manufacturing &amp; Blue-Collar Careers

Protect Illinois Air, Water, Land &amp; Wildlife

Pass Pro-Family Policies

Stand Up for Women's Rights &amp; the Marginalized

Fully Fund &amp; Rebuild VA Care

Restore Civil Liberties &amp; Protect Human Rights

<h3>Paul puts working families first.</h3>American families have been left behind after years of policies from both parties that kept wages stagnant as the powerful saw their wealth soar to unimaginable levels and corruption ran wild.Paul will fight every day to push forward ideas and policies that create real gains for families. His fight will be fueled by working people and he won't take big-money corporate PAC dollars like the incumbent. His campaign will always put regular people first, and will center policies on the impact they will have on hard-working families like the one Paul, his friends and his neighbors grew up in.

Priorities List

Born

Raised

Married

Children

Party

Education

Paul Nolley is running to represent the people of Illinois' 16th Congressional District.

Our campaign stands for the people who build, grow, teach, fix, and feed America — not the ones who strip it for parts. Our country used to offer a simple deal: work hard and you could live a decent, stable life and watch your kids climb higher than you ever could. I'm running to renew and strengthen that deal. Not for the lobbyists. Not for the shareholders. For everyday people.

Page Intro

Register to Vote

Volunteer

Raised

Married

Children

Party

Education

Paul Nolley is running to represent the people of Illinois' 16th Congressional District.

<h2>Meet Paul Nolley.</h2><h2>He didn’t grow up around power or influence.</h2><img src="https://run.imgix.net/f55b3c6c-a3e4-4574-b22c-b7d33def2cb5/e8c20f48-ce38-49e2-b1e5-427629301621/e8c20f48-ce38-49e2-b1e5-427629301621.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=5&amp;con=10&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=25&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=60%2C167%2C2570%2C1795&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="37.5" tiltdirection="left" variant="framed"><h4>Paul was born in Rockford to working-class parents who taught him the value of showing up, working hard, and doing right by your neighbors. He got his first job at 15, cooking and cleaning at a local racetrack— and he’s been working ever since. He's been a cook, cashier, cleaner, farmhand, and more. </h4>Inspired by his mother, who finished college as Paul graduated from public high school, he went to Illinois State University, thanks to Pell grants, student loans and a steady job in a diner. In between classes and shifts in the kitchen, he interned for local nonprofits and even toured the country in his rock &amp; roll band. <img src="https://run.imgix.net/f55b3c6c-a3e4-4574-b22c-b7d33def2cb5/5216bf9f-9618-4d38-bb9f-bf21cedcc888/5216bf9f-9618-4d38-bb9f-bf21cedcc888.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C2000%2C1333&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="right" alignwidth="45" tiltdirection="right" variant="framed"><h4>He then came back to his hometown and delivered for working families — raising record support for youth services, expanding homeownership, mentorship and literacy, restoring child care funding, and leading disaster relief planning. </h4>Today, he serves as executive director of Project First Rate, where he fights for strong blue-collar apprenticeship programs, responsible construction policies, and careers that put working people first.

Meeting & Event Request

Your contributions help us reach more voters.

Your donation fuels our campaign.

Short Form

Introduce the videos below with a short blurb.

Campaign Videos

<h3>I'm running to bring real representation back to the people of IL-16.</h3>I'm a citizen-candidate who knows what it's like to work a real job, live paycheck-to-paycheck, and face the challenges of raising a family in today's world. I'm running to defeat an incumbent who has sold out the people of this district by serving the powerful special interests instead of his voters.

Video

Paul Nolley for Congress

U.s. Representative, CA-17

Ro Khanna

Assistant majority leader &amp; state senator, IL-46

Dave Koehler

Assistant majority leader, state REPRESENTATIVE, IL-67 &amp; IL-17 State Central Committeeman

Maurice West

Illinois state senator, il-34

Steve Stadelman

State representative, IL-68

Dave Vella

Endorser Title

Endorser Name

Headshots

<img src="https://run.imgix.net/f55b3c6c-a3e4-4574-b22c-b7d33def2cb5/3f8fe3e2-6b20-4da4-b81e-a1c6180fe301/3f8fe3e2-6b20-4da4-b81e-a1c6180fe301.jpeg?ixlib=js-3.8.0&amp;bri=0&amp;con=0&amp;sat=0&amp;high=0&amp;shad=0&amp;usm=0&amp;rect=0%2C0%2C3597%2C3545&amp;w=1500" alt="" caption="" align="left" alignwidth="50" variant="framed"><h2>Illinois' 16th Congressional District</h2><h3>Our district spans more than 9,000 square miles across Northern and Central Illinois, stretching from Galena to Bloomington. It includes communities like Rockford, Peoria, Pekin, Rochelle, Dixon, Loves Park, Harvard, Roscoe, Channahon, and many more. </h3>

Google Map

An independent leader fighting for working people

Events Post

DONATE

Paul Nolley for Congress 

Home

Meet Paul

National and local endorsements for Paul Nolley for Congress

Endorsements

Meeting & Event Request 

Paul Nolley for Congress Events

Contribute

Volunteer

Write a short blurb about an issue your campaign is highlighting. Try to keep the text a similar size between the various issue blurbs.

Environmental threats like pollution, flooding, and extreme weather hit working-class families first and hardest—damaging homes, threatening jobs, and driving up everyday costs. We need practical, common-sense solutions that safeguard our air, water, and land without hurting the workers, farmers, and small businesses who depend on them. By holding polluters accountable and creating good-paying union jobs in clean energy, we can protect our communities and build economic security for everyone.

Protect Illinois Air, Water, Land & Wildlife

If you work hard, you should never have to worry about putting food on the table for your family. Workers' rights and unions have been under assault for years and the economic results have been a disaster. We will fight for pro-worker legislation that makes it easier to collectively bargain and raise wages and benefits for the people who keep this country running.

Strengthen Unions &amp; Workers' Rights

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.

Jo Daviess County Candidate Forum

The Jo Daviess County Democrats are hosting a candidate forum featuring candidates seeking to represent Jo Daviess County and the surrounding region. Come hear from Paul and other candidates, ask questions, and be part of the conversation about our region's future.

Jo Daviess County Candidate Forum

Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has b

Democrat Paul Nolley, a candidate for Illinois’ 16th Congressional District, hosted a meet and greet at Rockton Township Center, aiming to connect with community members as he seeks to unseat Representative Darin LaHood.

Paul Nolley engages with constituents in Rockton in bid to unseat Rep. Darin LaHood

Democrat&nbsp;Paul Nolley, who’s running for the 16th District U.S. House seat that includes Central Illinois, is calling on Republican incumbent Darin LaHood (R-Dunlap) to vote for the release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Democratic challenger calls on LaHood to vote for release of Epstein files

Democratic congressional candidate Paul Nolley announced today the endorsements of the Illinois State UAW CAP Council and the Illinois State AFL-CIO as he campaigns for the 16th Congressional seat.

Democratic candidate Paul Nolley earns endorsements from Illinois labor groups

Marshall County Democratic Kick Off 

Paul and fellow Illinois Democratic candidates are coming to Marshall County to kick off the work of organizing a local party. Join us for this important moment and help build something lasting from the ground up.

Normal NOW Meet & Greet

Join the Normal chapter of the National Organization of Women to meet nominee Paul Nolley, candidate for Illinois’ 16th District U.S. House seat, at this free, public event open to everyone. This one-hour opportunity gives you the chance to hear directly from Nolley about the issues that matter most to our community, learn where he stands, and ask your own questions in an open, engaging conversation. Whether you’re deeply involved in politics or just want to be informed, this is a great chance to connect, listen, and be part of the dialogue

Join Paul for a town hall meeting in Princeton, where you will hear his story, why he's running for Congress, and what policy ideas he will fight for as the next representative from the 16th congressional district. You will have a chance to ask questions, share your ideas and concerns, and meet other locals who are looking for new leadership to represent them in Washington.

Bureau County Town Hall

Join Paul for a town hall meeting in Princeton, where you will hear his story, why he's running for Congress, and what policy ideas he will fight for as the next representative from the 16th congressional district. You will have a chance to ask questions, share your ideas and concerns, and meet other locals who are looking for new leadership to represent them in Washington.

Meet Paul Nolley, Democratic nominee for the 16th Congressional District and learn about his ideas + why he's running. Come with your questions. You can also learn about ways to get involved with the massive grassroots army the campaign is building.

McLean County Meet & Greet

Meet Paul Nolley, Democratic nominee for the 16th Congressional District and learn about his ideas + why he's running. Come with your questions. You can also learn about ways to get involved with the massive grassroots army the campaign is building.

Paul Nolley,&nbsp;Roscoe resident and Hononegah alum, has secured enough signatures to run for the IL-16th Congressional seat in 2026. Now he is hosting a series of meet and greets across the district to get his message out.

Sizable turnout for hometown Congressional candidate Paul Nolley

We all know corruption runs deep through the halls of Congress. The powerful interests and their army of lobbyists have a hold on politicians of both parties. We need to put a stop to the corrupting influence of money in politics and ban members of Congress and their families from trading stocks. The powerful should not profit from their insider knowledge, status, and connections.

End Corruption &amp; Pay-to-Play Politics

Join Paul for a town hall meeting in Wyoming where you will hear his story, why he's running for Congress, and what policy ideas he will fight for as the next representative from the 16th congressional district. You will have a chance to ask questions, share your ideas and concerns, and meet other locals who are looking for new leadership to represent them in Washington.

Stark County Town Hall

Belvidere Candidate Meet & Greet 

Come hear from Paul and other local candidates running for office. Candidates will share prepared remarks followed by a question and answer portion focusing on the most important issues residents face today. The event is hosted by the League of Women Voters and other organizations.

Our nation's farmers are a cornerstone of the economy yet independent and family farms have been under assault for years. Corporate consolidation, right-to-repair restrictions, and Big Ag's influence over Washington have created a system designed to bleed them dry. We'll create commonsense policies to strengthen local farming and provide paths for young people and others to pursue Ag careers.

Preserve and Protect Family Farms

We need to bring relief to working families by passing Paid Family Leave legislation, expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare, and increasing the Child Tax Credit. We should make it easier to raise a family and ensure you can actually enjoy life with your loved ones while staying financially independent.

Our basic liberties like the Freedom of Speech are under assault. We must take an aggressive stance against any attacks on the rights and freedoms that so many Americans have fought and died for. Everyone should be free to engage in the democratic process, speak their mind, and be themselves without fear of government surveillance, retaliation, or repression.

Restore Civil Liberties & Protect Human Rights

U.S. Term Limits (USTL), the leader in the non-partisan national movement to limit terms for elected officials, praises 2026 U.S. Representative candidate for Illinois, Paul Nolley (District 16), for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress.

Strong Support in IL CD-16 Race for Term Limits on Congress

A lifelong resident of Rockford is joining a growing field of candidates from both the left and right looking to unseat Illinois U.S. Congressman Darin LaHood in 2026.

A Rockford Democrat wants to offer a 'different vision' in Illinois' 16th Congressional District

Our country has lost nearly 7 million manufacturing jobs over the last half-century, leading to the decline in decent career opportunities in towns across the 16th District. We must champion local manufacturers that invest in their people and communities, and expand modern manufacturing as a viable career path — not just for the executives but for the welders, machinists, and line workers.

Revive Manufacturing &amp; Blue-Collar Careers

Illinois’ 16th District, represented by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood for almost 10 years, now has another Democratic challenger.

On the Record: Another Democratic challenger takes aim at LaHood’s House seat

Meet Paul in Washington and help support the campaign to flip IL-16 red to blue in 2026. This will be a fun, casual opportunity to hear from Paul, meet other supporters, and help build momentum in the new year.

Tazewell County Meet &amp; Greet/Fundraiser

Meet Paul in Washington and support our campaign to flip IL-16 red to blue in 2026. This will be a fun, casual opportunity to hear from Paul, meet other supporters, and help build momentum in the new year.

Woodford County Fundraiser

Everyone deserves dignity, safety, and a fair shot at a stable life—no matter their gender, age, or identity. I will stand up for women’s rights and fight alongside those who’ve been pushed to the margins, like people with disabilities, seniors, children, survivors, and LGBTQ+ youth. The powerful try to divide us so we don’t notice their corruption or the way they rig the system. But if we stand together, we can rebuild a country where hard work pays off and no one is left behind.

Stand Up for Women’s Rights &amp; the Marginalized

Volunteers will be knocking on Democratic doors across Bloomington-Normal, gathering petition signatures to help put Paul Nolley on the ballot in Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. Together, we’ll take the first step toward flipping this seat in 2026.

Petition Sign & Canvass Event in McLean County

Paul Nolley, executive director of Project First Rate, has announced his bid to unseat Illinois Rep. Darin LaHood (R) in Congress.

Democrat Paul Nolley launches campaign to unseat Illinois Rep. Darin LaHood

Paul Nolley, a Roscoe resident with deep roots across northern Illinois, has announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the state’s 16th Congressional District.

Paul Nolley, Hononegah alum, launches campaign for Illinois' 16th congressional district

Bradley University Meet & Greet

Come meet Paul, hear about the campaign, and ask questions at Bradley University

Northern Stephenson County Meet & Greet

Join us for a Meet &amp; Greet in Orangeville to hear from Paul and engage in a robust discussion about the issues facing everyday people in northern Illinois and across the country. There will be plenty of time to ask questions, and at least two other Democratic candidates running for office will also be present.

Alliance for Retired Americans Virtual Meet &amp; Greet

Join this virtual meeting to hear from Paul and Ed Yohnka of the Illinois ACLU. Mr. Yohnka will speak about the anniversary of the Jan 6th insurrection and fighting for Democracy. Paul will conduct a virtual meet &amp; greet to discuss the campaign to flip IL-16.

Alliance for Retired Americans Virtual Meeting

Rural Urban Bridge Initiative Panel Discussion 

Hear from Paul and other candidates from working-class backgrounds discuss how their experiences shape campaign strategy, political priorities, and relationships with constituents.This is an opportunity to elevate voices that are often excluded from national political discourse and to foster a substantive conversation about class and democratic participation.

Two people have filed to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood for his 16th Congressional District seat, according to filings with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.elections.il.gov/Default.aspx">Illinois State Board of Elections</a>.

Two candidates file to run against Darin LaHood in midterm elections

&nbsp;Paul Nolley, a Democrat hopeful for Illinois’ 16th district, started his first tussle with incumbent U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood over the Epstein files.

Democrat Paul Nolley challenges Rep. LaHood on Epstein files

Democratic hopeful Paul Nolley announces two major union endorsements in Belvidere Tuesday.&nbsp;

Democrat Paul Nolley gains union endorsements in bid for 16th Congressional seat

<a href="https://www.nolleyforcongress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Nolley</a>&nbsp;is running as a candidate for the Democratic Party, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/H6IL16108/1882272/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">statement of candidacy filed with the Federal Election Commission</a>. He says his campaign focuses on the needs of working families throughout the district. If elected, he says he will work to protect social security, Medicare and Medicaid, rebuild American manufacturing and family farms, strengthen union and workers’ rights and invest in policies that make raising a family easier in today’s economy.&nbsp;“I think normal people need to stand up to what’s going on right now in our country. I think we are seeing the most amount of chaos, corruption, economic issues facing working people that we ever have. Just people like me, we’re sick and tired of it,” Nolley shared on why he decided to run for office. Illinois’ 16th district covers several communities across the northern and central parts of the state, including Rockford, Peoria, Bloomington, Harvard and Galena.&nbsp;Republican&nbsp;<a href="https://lahoodforcongress.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Darin LaHood</a>&nbsp;currently serves as the representative for Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. During an interview with WIFR on Tuesday, April 29, LaHood says he “absolutely” plans to re-run for the seat.&nbsp; “I’m very proud to represent the 16th Congressional District, I was proud that voters overwhelmingly supported me throughout Northern and Central Illinois last time,” Rep. LaHood said. “Right now is the time to govern and fulfill the campaign promises that I ran on last November.” Others who have declared their candidacies in the race include Democrat Joe Albright and Republican John Kitover,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fec.gov/data/elections/house/IL/16/2026/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">according to FEC filings</a>.&nbsp;Illinois’ general primary is set for March 17, 2026, with the midterm election scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026. Link to article: <a href="https://www.wifr.com/2025/04/29/paul-nolley-announces-bid-represent-illinois-16th-district-wants-unseat-lahood/">https://www.wifr.com/2025/04/29/paul-nolley-announces-bid-represent-illinois-16th-district-wants-unseat-lahood/</a>

Winnebago County native Paul Nolley, the executive director for Project First Rate, throws his hat in the ring to represent Illinois’ 16th District in Congress.

Paul Nolley looks to unseat LaHood with bid to represent Illinois’ 16th District

Billing himself as an independent-minded blue collar defender of working families,&nbsp;Paul Nolley&nbsp;plans to challenge U.S. Rep.&nbsp;Darin LaHood, R-Dunlap, in the mid-term 2026 election.

'I'm a regular guy': Rockford area Democrat hopes to unseat Darin LaHood in Illinois' 16th