Paul Nolley

Paul Nolley got his first job at 15, cooking and cleaning at a racetrack.¹ Born in Rockford, he grew up in a family where his mother finished college around the time he finished high school.¹ He later attended Illinois State University, relying on Pell grants, student loans and a job in a diner.¹

Between classes and shifts, Nolley interned with local nonprofits and toured with a rock band.¹ He and his wife, Andrea, are high school sweethearts and have two children.¹ She works as a special education teacher.¹ His earlier community work included youth services, literacy, homeownership and disaster relief planning.¹

Nolley is executive director of Project First Rate, which works on apprenticeship opportunities and construction policy.¹ It is a nonprofit partnership involving union contractors and tradespeople.² He is the Democratic challenger to Republican Darin LaHood in the 2026 race for Illinois' 16th District.³

His platform proposes Medicare coverage for everyone, without premiums, copays or deductibles.⁴ He also supports paid family leave, an expanded child tax credit, collective bargaining and a ban on stock trading by members of Congress and their families.⁴ He also favors modernizing VA facilities and systems, reducing wait times and investing in leadership for veterans' healthcare.⁴ On data centers, he wants federal rules intended to protect communities from higher energy costs and provide clearer information about water use.³