GOP candidate knocked off ballot in 3rd Congressional District

A would-be Republican candidate in Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District shouldn’t be on the 2026 primary ballot because she didn’t gather enough petition signatures, state election officials ruled Tuesday.

Chicagoan Spomenka Vajic delivered petitions with 194 signatures, far fewer than the 445 required in that race, state documents indicate. Her candidacy faced two objections, from separate pairs of political activists: Jeffrey M. Fiedler of River Grove and Charles R. Smith of Wheaton; and Catherine M. Slattery and James P. Roche, both of Chicago.

Following recommendations from a hearing officer and its attorney, the Illinois State Board of Elections upheld Fiedler and Smith’s objection, which effectively knocks Vajic off the March 17, 2026, ballot. The board later dismissed Slattery and Roche’s case.

Vajic called signature requirements for candidates unconstitutional and said she will fight the ruling.

Her removal from the ballot leaves Wheaton resident Angel Oakley as the lone Republican candidate for the 3rd District seat. Reached by phone after the vote, Oakley said she supported the board’s decision.

“It was such a glaring disregard for the basic parameters (of filing petitions),” said Oakley, who ran an independent write-in campaign for the seat in 2024, is a former Winfield trustee who once campaigned for village president there.

Oakley said she was aware of Vajic’s signatures shortage but didn’t orchestrate the objections.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez of Chicago is running for reelection. She’s facing a potential primary contest against Chicagoan Mark Pasieka, but his candidate petitions also have been challenged. The elections board could rule on that case Jan. 7.

The 3rd District encompasses parts of suburban Cook and DuPage counties and some Chicago neighborhoods. Ramirez first was elected in 2022 and is seeking a third term.