LaHood Faces Nolley in Illinois 16th District
Republican incumbent Darin LaHood seeks to hold his congressional seat against Democratic newcomer Paul Nolley in the November 3 midterm election.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Republican Darin LaHood is running to defend his Illinois 16th District congressional seat against Democratic challenger Paul Nolley, a political newcomer from Rockford. The midterm election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Why it matters
The race pits an incumbent endorsed by President Donald Trump against a first-time candidate, offering voters in the Illinois 16th District a choice in the state's congressional representation. The outcome will determine who represents the district in the next term.
Darin LaHood has represented Illinois's 16th District since 2022 and previously held the 18th District seat from 2015, which is now defunct. He ran unopposed in 2024, while the November 3 race against Paul Nolley will be his first contested election since 2022.
The players
Darin LaHood
Republican incumbent representing Illinois's 16th Congressional District, who has served in Congress since 2015 and is endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Paul Nolley
Democratic challenger from Rockford, Illinois, and a political newcomer running for the 16th Congressional District seat.
Donald Trump
Current President of the United States, who endorsed Darin LaHood for re-election.
The details
LaHood, a Republican, is seeking re-election in the 16th District, where he won in 2022 by a wide margin. Nolley, a Democrat from Rockford, is running as a political newcomer, and the race will be decided at the midterm polls on November 3.
Timeline
2015: LaHood began representing the 18th District.
2022: LaHood began holding the 16th District seat after winning that election.
2024: LaHood ran unopposed.
November 3, 2026: Midterm election between LaHood and Nolley.
Political Context
LaHood's 2026 contest continues the pattern of his 2022 election in the redrawn 16th District, where he won by a wide margin. The race tests whether that margin holds against a Democratic challenger in a midterm year.
Voters in Illinois's 16th District will choose their congressional representative on November 3, 2026. The outcome will determine who represents local residents in Congress for the next term.
The takeaway
Voters in the 16th District have a direct choice this November between an incumbent with a track record in the seat and a newcomer offering an alternative. Checking candidate positions before the midterm can help residents make an informed decision.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Elections for context on how congressional races in Illinois are shaping up this cycle.
Live Poll
Do you plan to vote for Darin LaHood or Paul Nolley in November?
