Sean Casten — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Illinois, 2026

Sean Casten advocates for comprehensive immigration reform, supporting pathways to citizenship through legislation like the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Worker Modernization Act. He believes the United States should welcome immigrants, seeing it as essential to the nation's leadership and strength. Casten has opposed Trump administration policies, including "Operation Midway Blitz," and has called for accountability regarding alleged constitutional violations by ICE agents and at detention centers. He emphasizes a humane and functional immigration system that respects privacy and civil rights.

“As Ronald Reagan said, the day America stops welcoming new immigrants to our shores is the day that America gives up its position of leadership in the world. [...] I have consistently supported the Dream and Promise Act and the Farm Worker Modernization Act to provide amnesty and a path to citizenship for immigrants who have contributed to our country, committed no crimes, but are currently stuck in uncertainty and constantly vulnerable to abuse by xenophobes, criminals, and unscrupulous employers." - Sean Casten, WTTW, 2026 Primary Voter's Guide”

Sean Casten supports universal, affordable healthcare and has worked to protect and strengthen the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including expanding premium tax credits and co-sponsoring legislation to make them permanent. He voted against a Republican bill to cut Medicaid and supported the American Rescue Plan and Inflation Reduction Act, which capped prescription drug and insulin costs for certain beneficiaries. He also introduced bipartisan legislation to improve mental health care access for aviators.

“The House Republican bill stands to strip over 20,235 people in the 6th Congressional District of their health insurance. It would gut Medicaid – a program that benefits ALL Americans. And, it would cut hundreds of billions of dollars from food assistance programs like SNAP, making it more difficult for children, seniors, and veterans to eat. ... Who does it benefit? The bill gives a tax cut to the wealthiest 1% of Americans. It boosts fossil fuel companies by making it harder for consumers to access cheaper, more reliable energy sources. It makes life easier for people like Donald Trump and Elon Musk at the expense of hard-working families. ... This bill is among the most harmful and dangerous that the House has considered during my time in Congress. There is a reason House Republicans worked almost exclusively in the middle of the night to pass it – they don’t want the American people to know about it. I was proud to vote Hell no.” — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten, Casten Statement on Republican Bill to Gut Medicaid, Washington, D.C.”

Representative Sean Casten views fighting the climate crisis as his top priority and served on the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, contributing to the Inflation Reduction Act. He co-chairs the New Democrat Coalition Climate Change Task Force and co-released an energy plan framework aimed at expanding wind and solar energy. The League of Conservation Voters awarded him a 100% score in 2024 and a 99% lifetime score.

Sean Casten strongly supports abortion and reproductive rights. He received an endorsement from NARAL Pro-Choice America in 2020 and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund. Casten voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 21), which would impose requirements for care of infants born after attempted abortions. He also cast a "No" vote on the Pregnant Students' Rights Act. His voting record earned him a 0 score from FRC Action, indicating positions inconsistent with their anti-abortion stance.

Sean Casten supports U.S. intervention to advance national interests and defend the post-WWII international order, provided it has Congressional and U.N. approval. He advocates for continued aid to Ukraine, supporting its defense against Russian aggression, and voted for the National Defense Authorization Act of 2024. Casten also backs humanitarian aid for Palestinians and believes the U.S. has a responsibility to prevent suffering in global conflicts.

“At the most general level, I support intervention when it unambiguously advances U.S. interests and defends the post-WWII international order, provided that such intervention has secured the necessary approvals from Congress pursuant to the War Powers Act and from the U.N. Security Council. The United States is the only country that can effectively advocate for the rule of law and democracy, and - as we have seen in the Trump era - when we step back from those responsibilities, other countries step in. As it was put to me when I was in Madrid for COP-25 by a European parliamentarian: “bad things happen when the United States doesn’t lead.” - Sean Casten, 2026 Election Questionnaire, shawlocal.com/my-suburban-life/2026/02/07/2026-election-questionnaire-sean-casten-us-house-of-representatives-6th-district/”

Sean Casten advocates for universal early childhood education and public schools, opposing anti-scientific curricula and voucher schemes. He has introduced legislation to increase the teacher tax deduction, index Pell Grants to inflation, and expand FMLA benefits for education support professionals. Casten also supports initiatives to prevent sexual assault on college campuses and address gun violence in schools. He is endorsed by the National Education Association and the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

“"I'm grateful for the endorsement of the Illinois Federation of Teachers. In Congress, I've stood with educators and I will keep fighting to make sure the federal government delivers for our public schools, not dismantles them. That means fully funding public education, protecting it from voucher schemes that take money from neighborhood schools, and keeping public dollars in public schools where they belong." - Sean Casten, Illinois Federation of Teachers endorsement announcement”

Research pending more substantial sources.