Two newcomers in 6th Congressional District race
Two political newcomers are running for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District seat, a post now held by Democrat Sean Casten of Downers Grove.
Chicagoan Joseph “Joey” Ruzevich has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission indicating he’ll challenge Casten in the Democratic primary. Additionally, Shorewood resident Skylar Duensing is seeking the Republican nomination.
Their presence in the 6th District contest brings the total number of candidates to four. The others are Casten and Republican Niki Conforti of Glen Ellyn.
Ruzevich is a software engineer who formerly played professional basketball in Germany. His campaign website makes no mention of prior political experience.
Ruzevich filed an amended statement of organization with the FEC this week. The original statement was filed in August, but he hasn’t announced his campaign to the media.
Ruzevich has not yet submitted any financial reports.
Duensing is a political activist who’s never before run for elected office, a campaign representative said.
Duensing filed a statement of candidacy with the FEC on Sept. 19.
He is running for the 6th District seat despite living in the 14th District. U.S. law allows members of Congress to live outside the districts they represent and for candidates to run in districts that aren’t their own.
Like Ruzevich, Duensing hasn’t yet submitted financial reports. Documents detailing transactions made between July 1 and Sept. 30 are due to the FEC by midnight Oct. 15.
Casten has represented the 6th District since 2019, following his upset win over incumbent Republican Peter Roskam the previous November. He’s running for a fifth term.
Conforti lost to Casten in 2024. She also unsuccessfully sought the GOP nomination in 2022.
The 6th District includes parts of Cook and DuPage counties. Illinois’ 2026 primary election is March 17. The national general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
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