Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination in the 15th Congressional District Primary.
That includes incumbent Mary Miller, who is seeking a fourth term, and challengers Judy Bowlby and Ryan Tebrugge.
Miller ran unopposed in 2024. In addition to the two Republican challengers, four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination for the 15th Congressional District.
TSPR asked the candidates why they’re running, how they can help small businesses succeed, what they think of ICE, and more.
Information about the candidates and their answers are listed below in alphabetical order.
Please note TSPR sent the questions to two email addresses for incumbent Miller’s campaign, one that was on her campaign website and another that was on her campaign Facebook page. Both emails bounced.
TSPR then called Miller’s Quincy office to request a valid campaign email address and offer an invitation to participate. A staffer did not provide a valid campaign email address but told TSPR that Miller’s campaign website outlines her stances on the issues.
Judy Bowlby
Age as of March 17, 2026: 70
Education: Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology
Community involvement: Multiple associations/advocacy during work career
Campaign website: https://bowlby2026.com/
Ryan Tebrugge
Age as of March 17, 2026: I will be 36 and a lifelong resident of Illinois.
Education: I am a certified leadership coach with an associate degree in political science, a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement, and minors in computer science and political science with an emphasis in international relations. I began pursuing a master’s degree in forensic social work, which is currently on hold while I run for office, and I am actively working toward my MBA.
Community involvement: From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of community by getting me involved in local theatre, volunteering throughout our area, and supporting candidates who stood up for working families and labor issues. I grew up working on my family’s farm, helping neighbors by shoveling driveways, working at a local grocery store in our small town, volunteering with animal rescue groups, and being actively involved in church. Through these experiences, I learned to appreciate what I have, give back to those with less, and always look out for others.
Over the years, I have remained deeply engaged in civic life, serving as a campaign manager in both 2016 and 2024 and volunteering on numerous local, state, and federal campaigns. I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Young Republicans Capital City Chapter and am a member of the Scottish Rite.
Campaign website: https://www.ryantforcongress.com/
Why are you running?
Bowlby: For some time, I have watched the news and have grown increasingly frustrated and disappointed with the extreme positions and lack of cooperation among our government officials. Throughout this time, I kept saying to myself “there has got to be a better way.”
As lifelong resident of Illinois, I understand the economic challenges families face. As a graduate of Eastern Illinois University with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in clinical psychology, I understand the crises Americans face related to mental health and addiction. As a former ambassador for the Illinois Soybean and American Soybean Associations, I understand the challenges facing farmers and the agricultural industry. Recognizing the issues is not the challenge; beginning a conversation to address those issues is what is needed.
I have spent 30 years in Government Affairs working with both parties on multiple healthcare-related issues relevant to Illinois and neighboring states. Therein lies my most valuable skill, the ability to encourage and facilitate dialogue among diverse groups leading to solutions that benefit the voters.
In short, the current climate in Washington is rampant with heated rhetoric, finger pointing, blame and criticism. No one is reaching across the aisle to start a discussion for the benefit of the people. They deserve better. After all, the American citizens are our bosses. I believe I can be the catalyst for that process, and I am confident in my ability to transform this vision into action as a public servant.
Tebrugge: I was raised in a family where you didn’t wait for someone else to fix things you stepped in and helped. Whether it was working on the farm, helping neighbors, volunteering in our community, or getting involved locally, I was taught that responsibility starts close to home. My father used to tell me, “You may not be able to change the world, but you can change your portion of it.” That mindset shaped who I am. I also believe something deeply: you can complain about what’s broken, or you can roll up your sleeves and do something about it. For too long, Washington has been full of politicians who talk, point fingers, and chase attention while everyday families are left paying the price.
I didn’t get into this race for a title or headlines. I got in because I care about real solutions not more problems. I got in because I kept hearing the same frustrations from farmers, workers, small business owners, and families who feel ignored by their own representative. Illinois families are overtaxed, energy bills keep climbing, and rural communities are being left behind. Instead of fighting for development, jobs, and funding that actually help our towns grow, our current representative is focused on media attention and political theater. This district deserves better. We deserve leadership that listens. Leadership that shows up. Leadership that fights for good paying jobs, lower energy costs, strong infrastructure, and real investment in our communities. I’m running to bring common sense back to Congress. To work across differences when it helps our people. To focus on results instead of rhetoric. And to make sure the voices of this district are finally heard again.
What do you think is the biggest challenge facing the congressional district?
Bowlby: Constituents in the 15th district are struggling to pay for everyday necessities like housing, groceries and healthcare. They are facing job loss, stagnant wages, and instability in the manufacturing, and agricultural sectors.
The district represents 31% of Illinois’ total agricultural sales and farmers are facing another difficult season due to tariff policy, low crop prices and high production costs.
The largest employment industry in this largely rural and small-town district is healthcare, and rural healthcare is facing a crisis with hospital closures and provider shortages leading to reduced access to care and worse outcomes.
Manufacturing is the second largest employment sector in the district, and it has been impacted due to volatile tariffs and supply chain chaos leading to reduced investment and hiring. Constituents need a representative in Congress engaged on these issues and willing to work within the Republican Party and negotiate across the aisle to deliver policy that addresses these needs. The current Congresswoman’s lack of focus and absence on the primary issues facing the district is leading to more reliance on government services and social programs, dwindling population in the district, and a lack of policy to support agricultural stability, business growth, and a standard of living that supports the middle class.
If elected, I would draw on my 30 years’ experience in healthcare and government affairs where I worked in a bipartisan manner to bring opposing sides together to pass policy for the benefit of the citizens of Illinois. In one particular instance, I was able to get healthcare legislation passed that was used as a model for 10 other states. I have deep contacts in government and business across the state and would leverage my network and established relationships to expedite the process of developing evidenced-based policy while remaining willing to negotiate and compromise to bring relief to the people in the 15th district.
Additionally, my experience as a national and international ambassador with the Illinois and American Soybean Associations will be beneficial to farmers and the agribusiness industry in terms of understanding complex domestic and global market dynamics.
Tebrugge: The biggest challenge facing our district is the lack of real, sustained community investment. When families struggle to find good paying jobs, when our roads, bridges, and water systems are falling apart, and when young people are forced to leave because it’s too expensive to build a future here, that’s a clear sign leadership has not been fighting for this district.
Public service should be about putting people first, not political games. We need to be smarter and more responsible with taxpayer dollars by cutting waste, demanding transparency, and directing funding back into projects that strengthen our towns, support farmers and small businesses, and create long term economic growth. That means investing in infrastructure, expanding high speed internet in rural areas, and attracting job creating industries that allow families to stay and thrive here at home.
How would you address that issue if elected to office?
Bowlby: The first and most effective way to bring immediate relief to the people of this district would be the utilization of Community Project Funding. This option has been ignored by the incumbent representing this district.
During my signature drive to gain access to the ballot, I was amazed to discover that many people were unaware that these funds were available for community improvements. Those that were aware voluntarily shared “she’s brought nothing back to the district.”
Community project funds can be used to help pay for infrastructure (roads, bridges, water treatment facilities, wastewater treatment facilities, sewer line improvements, etc.) or contributions to law enforcement, fire districts, libraries, parks, rural hospitals, mental health centers, education, food banks or a myriad other nonprofit, charitable organizations.
The role of the Representative is to represent the units of local government and the organizations across the district, educate them about the availability of Community Project Funds and then ADVOCATE for their causes. Any level of effort in this area would be most welcome to the constituency in light of its conspicuous absence in the past.
These funds do not add to the burden of the taxpayer as they are budgeted every year by Congress. When communities across the district are eliminated from consideration for these funds by the Congresswoman’s unwillingness to apply for them, local tax dollars are required to pay for these needed services.
Tebbruge: If elected, I will work to bring resources back to the district instead of watching them disappear into Washington bureaucracy. I will hold government accountable, expose corruption and misuse of funds, and work across the aisle when it helps our communities get real results.
I also believe in a proactive government that shows up instead of guessing what people need. My office will send staff into communities across the district to meet with local leaders, business owners, educators, farmers, and nonprofits to identify real issues and develop real solutions. When we invest in our communities, we invest in people. That’s how we rebuild opportunity, grow our local economy, keep families here, and ensure the next generation has a strong future in the towns they call home.
What would you like to do to help small businesses succeed?
Bowlby: Small businesses need modern and reliable infrastructure to expand. Basic transportation and logistics coupled with updated digital communications systems are necessary components for sustainable growth.
Physical infrastructure connecting businesses to their customers and markets must be maintained. Broadband must be modernized, reliable and easily accessible to small businesses. Public transportation improvements must be explored for citizens with mobility restrictions to connect them with the business community.
We are an increasingly mobile and interconnected society, and government must work to keep our channels of transportation and communication open, safe, and secure.
It is also important to recognize geographical, cultural, and historical factors that influence the types of businesses that exist in small communities and draw visitors to rural areas. Gathering signatures to get my name on the ballot, not only allowed me to meet people directly, to find out their needs and their struggles, but it also introduced me to their unique communities. The history and legacy of Abraham Lincoln is woven throughout the 15th district—from our historic courthouses where he practiced law, to museums, libraries, theaters and mom-and pop-diners on the town squares celebrating that heritage. Lincoln’s history provides our foundation, but our future depends on the ability of small businesses built around that history to remain connected. Government has a role in maintaining and enhancing that connectivity.
Additionally, the 15th district is full of beautiful forests, parks, and unique river and railroad towns. It also is home to some of the world’s most fertile farmland. All of these assets provide the potential for entrepreneurs to turn their ideas into small businesses that continue to grow in the district. Government must be there to facilitate that growth whether it be in the form of small business administration (SBA) loans, grants or tax incentives designed to spur investment and job creation. Programs like that succeed with prudent oversight, blended private capital, and local support and investment. I built a career using creativity and perseverance to transform good ideas into reality for the benefit of the citizens of Illinois and I could repeat that in the 15th district.
Tebrugge: Small businesses are the backbone of our rural communities. They don’t just create jobs, they provide the food, services, and resources families rely on every day, from local grocers and hardware stores to farms, processors, and repair shops. When small businesses succeed, our towns stay strong and people can build a life.
Government should focus on creating opportunities, not obstacles. While public safety, good roads, and fair workplace protections are important, too many small business owners face high startup costs, limited access to capital, and unnecessary red tape.
That’s why I support expanding startup grants and low interest fixed rate plans to help entrepreneurs open their doors and create local jobs, especially in rural areas where access to capital is often limited. But support shouldn’t stop there. We also need programs that help small businesses grow by supporting workforce training, encouraging local hiring, and making expansion financing more accessible. When we invest in small businesses, we invest in jobs, stable families, and local food and supply chains that keep rural communities thriving. Strong small businesses mean stronger local economies, lower dependence on distant corporations, and more opportunities right here at home.
What can the federal government do to reduce costs for farmers?
Bowlby Government’s role is to encourage competition and discourage monopolies. Recently, costs of production and commodity prices have risen in tandem. However, when the price of commodities decreased, the costs of production decreased at a slower rate, leading to an erosion of profits. Government must encourage competition in the agricultural input market. Conversely, it must discourage big business from creating monopolies that lead to price control. Antitrust provisions of federal law must always be deployed to detect monopolistic movements.
Tariffs have played a big part in the current costs farmers face. For example, the overwhelming majority of potash (a major fertilizer) is imported from Canada and imposing a tariff has an immediate negative impact on production costs reducing profit margins.
In terms of market stability, many factors affect farmers in the 15th district. They are extremely fortunate to have both ADM and Tate and Lyle facilities near their fields. Direct sales to those entities increase profits. But new markets should also be encouraged rather than hampered as was the case in a recent example in the 15th district. A Chinese firm was considering sites in the U.S. for a wet milling corn processing plant. An industrial site west of Tuscola was selected as the location for this new facility. Discussions were underway with the community to build the plant. It would have created hundreds of construction jobs for three years and many full-time jobs when operating. Local leaders invested time and resources to recruit and develop the project. During the process, Congresswoman Miller, the incumbent in the 15th district, introduced a bill calling for a reduction of foreign ownership of Illinois farmland. While I support U.S. ownership of farmland, it is important to differentiate between land that can be farmed and land that was not usable for that purpose such as in the case in Tuscola. The Chinese firm withdrew its project and Tuscola lost the opportunity. It lost jobs, investment, and new markets for local farmers. In addition to the losses suffered by Tuscola and Douglas County, this action disrupted harmony with our long-established agricultural trading partners.
I grew up on a farm. I know the risks farmers face which cannot be controlled. But there are certain things in our control, and one is how we work and negotiate with our trading partners. I will vigorously study new and innovative ways to support broadening and stabilizing markets for farmers.
Tebrugge: Reducing waste and improving market stability should be top priorities. Too often, farmers are forced to discard perfectly good food simply because it doesn’t meet cosmetic standards, even though it’s still nutritious and safe. I support expanding programs that purchase this surplus directly from farmers and use it in school lunch programs and food assistance efforts. That puts money back in farmers’ pockets, cuts waste, and feeds families.
As an agricultural state, Illinois has enormous potential, and government should be supporting farmers not creating more obstacles. Another major issue is predictability. While we can’t control the weather, we can create more stable markets through fair pricing structures, smarter crop insurance reforms, and transparent federal programs that help farmers plan and invest with confidence. We also need to make sure rural communities receive infrastructure funding for well-maintained roads and bridges so farmers can get their products to markets, grain elevators, and processors safely and efficiently. At the same time, protecting clean air and clean water is essential not just for our environment, but for the long-term success of agriculture itself.
Supporting biofuels remains critical to strengthening demand for crops like corn and soybeans, lowering energy costs, and boosting rural economies. Finally, strong and fair-trade partnerships will help farmers compete globally while keeping input costs affordable. We also need policies that keep family farms alive instead of allowing massive corporations to buy them out and consolidate our food system. When small farmers disappear, rural communities lose jobs, local businesses suffer, and consumers pay more. I’ll fight for fair markets that give family farmers a real chance to compete, grow, and pass their farms on to the next generation. I also will do what I can to eliminate the estate taxes farmers pay. I’m running to be a farmer’s voice in Washington, not a cable news personality.
What do you think of the tariffs the Trump administration imposed on China and other major trading partners?
Bowlby: I believe that Congress has, over the years, been too generous in delegating its tariff power to the Executive Branch. Both parties bear responsibility for that pattern. The impact to the 15th District has been most damaging.
Farmers, already burdened with rising production costs, lost the China market to Brazil. This was in response to the tariffs imposed by the administration on China without Congressional advice or approval. Additional storage costs of grain ensued. Delay of sale burdened the plans for the 2026 production. Bridge payments failed to mitigate the profit margin loss. Uncertainty was added to a business that already has too many uncontrollable factors. And it occurred without warning. The tariffs were imposed with a swift hand. Court challenges could not keep pace. Stability in the marketplace was suspended. In addition to farmers, American consumers took the brunt most notably at the grocery store.
As we all await the decision of the Supreme Court, a burdensome question looms: If the Court invalidates the tariffs, what will the responsibility be to repay those who suffered loss. It will be a nightmarish accounting challenge. My concern rests with the middle class; my advocacy would be with them.
In the future, Congress must concentrate on regaining their Constitutional control. At the end of the day, I am most concerned about the middle class that is bearing the burden because they have neither the government programs that aid the lowest income Americans, nor the income of the very wealthy to soften the blow caused by the current tariff policies.
Tebrugge: As a business owner, I understand the need to confront unfair trade practices, especially from countries like China. But I’ve also seen how unpredictable tariffs can hurt the very people they’re supposed to protect particularly farmers and rural communities. When tariffs trigger retaliation, American crops like corn, soybeans, pork, and beef become targets. That means fewer exports, lower commodity prices, and smaller profit margins for family farmers. At the same time, the cost of equipment, fertilizer, parts, and fuel often goes up, squeezing farmers from both sides. Lower prices in the market and higher costs to operate is a recipe that puts small farms at risk.
Those losses don’t stop at the farm gate. When farmers earn less, local grain elevators, equipment dealers, truckers, and main street businesses feel it too. That’s how trade instability weakens entire rural economies. I believe in tough but smart trade policy that holds bad actors accountable without creating chaos for American producers. We need predictable, fair-trade agreements and consistent enforcement that open markets for our farmers while keeping costs stable at home. The goal should be protecting American agriculture, strengthening rural communities, and giving farmers the certainty they need to plan, invest, and pass their operations on to the next generation.
What could the federal government do to make higher education more affordable?
Bowlby: I am interpreting this question as applied to higher public education, not private. No matter the solution, it will require strong partnering between the Federal and State systems. One option would be to impose a cap on student borrowing to incentivize a lowering of tuition rates, but this must be done with caution so as not to place barriers to higher education on low-income students. Part of the solution could be increasing eligibility for Pell grants or other federal funding to states that demonstrate a commensurate increase of their investment in the two- or four-year degreed schools.
As with any appropriation issue, an examination of various entitlement programs, reduction of fraud and analysis of overall spending would be a component to this study. It is an age-old question: how do we want to spend our tax dollars; a continuing process requiring diligent, creative and measured discussion among our leaders with the understanding that access to affordable, equitable education is vital not just because of the ability it has to change the course of a person’s life, but also because of the ability it has to support a thriving society where access to education strengthens the middle class and promotes social mobility.
Tebrugge: There are several practical steps the federal government can take to make higher education more affordable, and it starts with better preparation and smarter use of resources. We should raise academic standards and expand college prep programs by partnering with community colleges, trade schools, and local employers. That includes early apprenticeships, workforce training, and career exploration so students graduate with real skills and clearer paths forward.
Not every student is meant for a traditional four-year college, and that’s okay. We should strengthen vocational and technical education, modernize curriculum around student interests and real job opportunities, and move away from a one size fits all, test focused system. I also support expanding programs like Job Corps and raising the eligibility age to 30 so more young adults can retrain earlier in life instead of falling behind.
Affordability also means controlling costs. Our tax dollars fund public universities, yet tuition keeps rising while administrative salaries and athletic spending continue to skyrocket. We should refocus funding on academics, instructors, and student support not bloated bureaucracy. At the same time, we must invest in education, especially in rural communities that often receive fewer resources. Paying teachers competitively, directing funding where it’s needed most, and expanding scholarship and grant opportunities will help level the playing field. I know firsthand how hard college affordability can be. I was fortunate my parents could help, but too many families don’t have that option. We need to stop making education unaffordable in the first place and build a system that prepares students for real careers without burying them in debt.
What are your views on federal immigration enforcement tactics, and what changes, if any, do you think should Congress consider?
Bowlby: Our immigration laws need to be enforced. However, the current enforcement and apprehension methods lack oversight and many tactics are unacceptable.
Due process needs restoration. Judicial warrants are imperative. Arbitrary or unreasonable entries into homes must cease. More training would ease the tension as would body cameras, mask removals, and a less powerful arsenal. ICE officers are police officers. Force, if necessary, must be reasonable and proportionate to the threat. Discretion and a sense of reason should prevail. It is not an easy job, but improvement is necessary to quell the unrest.
Tebrugge: We can fix our immigration system, but it requires enforcement and reform at the same time not just political talking points.
· First, we must secure the border with modern technology, more agents, and faster removal of violent criminals and repeat offenders so families in our district feel safe and law enforcement can do their jobs effectively.
· Second, we need to fix the legal immigration system so it actually functions. Right now, employers across our district, especially small businesses, farms, food processors, and rural hospitals, are struggling to find workers. People who want to come legally are stuck waiting for years while our local economy suffers. Congress should speed up processing, expand legal work visas in industries with real labor shortages like healthcare, agriculture, and construction, and improve vetting so everyone entering the country is known and documented.
· Third, we should keep talented foreign students who graduate from American universities in critical fields such as medicine, engineering, and technology by allowing them to work legally here instead of forcing them to leave. That talent could help staff hospitals, grow local businesses, and drive innovation right here in our communities.
· Fourth, we must crack down on employers who knowingly exploit illegal labor while making it easier to hire workers legally. This protects wages for workers in our district and ensures businesses can grow the right way.
· Finally, we should modernize asylum laws so real refugees are protected quickly while fraudulent claims are stopped, restoring fairness and trust in the system.
This approach restores law and order, strengthens our local economy, supports farmers and healthcare providers, and brings stability back to our communities. It is about real enforcement and real reform that works for our district.
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