Initially, Seth intended to run again in 2026, aiming to become the first Republican in the 9th District to appear on the ballot in two consecutive general elections. However, after reassessing the fundraising landscape—and prioritizing the needs of his young and growing family—he concluded that moving forward at this time would be a mistake. While nothing would have made him prouder than to again represent his constituents as the Republican nominee, his family must come first. The ability to mount a larger, more impactful campaign with a realistic path to victory remains uncertain.
U.S. 9th Congressional District of Illinois
In early 2024, Seth was approached by local township party leadership to challenge a twelve-term incumbent congresswoman in the general election. Fully aware of the steep odds—entrenched incumbency, a significant fundraising gap, and limited name recognition—he chose to serve his country once again by stepping into the race. Officially slated on April 20, 2024, Seth submitted his petition signatures in Springfield on June 3, 2024. From that point through November, he led a focused and determined grassroots campaign to unseat a representative who had held office since 1999. Although ultimately unsuccessful, Seth earned 31.6% of the vote—despite being dramatically outspent. He remains deeply grateful for the support, encouragement, and trust of his donors, volunteers, supporters, and the thousands of constituents who believed in his candidacy and vision.
