Skylar Duensing: 2026 candidate for 6th Congressional District

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: 6th Congressional District

City: Shorewood

Age: 25

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Previous offices held: N/A

Q&A

What is your top issue and how do you propose to address it?

A top issue in Illinois and the 6th District is the burden of overtaxation and unaffordability. Due to these pressing problems, Illinois families are struggling to just get by, let alone get ahead.

In Congress, I’ll work to provide immediate relief for Illinois families through implementing federal tax cuts, extending reforms that boost jobs and wages in Illinois, cutting wasteful government spending, and promoting American energy independence, all of which will successfully lower utility bills, create jobs and opportunity, decrease tax burdens, and increase the standard of living that Illinois families have worked hard for.

Do you support the unilateral foreign policy course President Trump has taken with such actions as the bombing of Iran, assaults on Venezuelan ships and the seizure of the Venezuelan president?

Through unilateral action, bilateral coordination with allies, or multilateral agreements & operations, the United States must stand firm as the leader of the Free World. The Executive and Legislative branches should prioritize working with allies to promote democracy, stability, security, and peace.

Every option available through the proper constitutional process should be utilized. President Trump has exercised his executive power in a similar way to past administrations.

Therefore, I support President Trump's foreign policy decisions to protect American interests and security by combating threats like Iran's nuclear proliferation through targeted bombings, assaults on Venezuelan ships smuggling drugs and fentanyl, and the seizure of Nicolás Maduro for narco-terrorism, drug-trafficking, human rights abuses, and fueling a mass migration crisis that destabilized our hemisphere and threatened the American homeland.

My commitment in Congress will be to ensure the safety and security of the American people at home and abroad, while simultaneously making sure that our foreign policy decisions are made responsibly with proper oversight when needed.

The executive branch has expanded its powers in recent years on foreign policy, economic tariffs, executive orders and more. Are you satisfied with the direction these activities are moving? If so, why? If not, what needs to be done differently?

When the priorities of these executive actions advance the American People’s interests and needs — such as targeted foreign policy actions against threats and economic agreements to protect American jobs and reduce trade imbalances — I am satisfied with such executive decisions.

Recent executive orders mirror historical presidential authority used to address urgent crises and cut through partisan gridlock in Congress.

Americans want a functional government that serves them. Congress could do a better job of serving the People’s concerns by reaching across the aisle to deliver legislation, consequently reducing, at times, the need for executive orders.

To maintain constitutional balance and restore trust in government, I will advocate for strategic consultation with Congress when needed on major actions, ensuring Congress uses its Article I powers to advance priorities like fiscal responsibility, national security, and economic growth through legislation and oversight that complements the current president's America First agenda.

This will provide a balanced approach that benefits American families and advances government transparency, efficiency, and accountability.

What should U.S. border policy be? If elected, what would you do to make it happen?

Immigration policy and enforcement must balance security with compassion. America needs strong borders, effective enforcement, and a legal immigration system that works. We must also treat people with dignity and respect, ensuring that solutions strengthen our communities.

My commitment is to policies that uphold the rule of law, protect American workers, keep our communities safe, and reflect the values of fairness and opportunity that define our nation as the shining city on a hill. I support the continued existence and funding of ICE, Border Patrol, and DHS as they play critical roles in securing our borders and enforcing America’s immigration laws. In Congress, I will obtain resources and tech that aid in securing our borders, deport criminal aliens, secure funding for ICE, Border Patrol, and DHS, crack down on fentanyl and human trafficking, and work to reform our broken immigration system.

My position is one that has historically been shared regardless of political party affiliation: America is a nation of laws, as well as a nation built by immigrants. Our policies must reflect this dynamic, upholding both the rule of law and the dignity of those seeking opportunity and the American Dream.

What should be the government’s role in assuring health care for Americans? What should be done regarding the ACA to better perform this function?

Health care should be affordable, accessible, and patient-centered. The government's role should be to focus on promoting competition, choice, and transparency through market-based, bipartisan reforms that prioritize affordability, patient choice, and innovation — without heavy mandates or single-payer overreach.

Illinois families face high premiums, deductibles, and drug prices, which are worsened by inflation and expiring subsidies.

In Congress, I’ll support retaining key protections like preexisting condition coverage and extended coverage for young adults. Furthermore, to deliver real relief for families, I will advance competition, expand health savings, boost price transparency, incentivize preventive care, and codify Most Favored Nation agreements that ensure lower drug costs for Americans.

The bottom line is this: families shouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they can attain truly affordable, quality health care, and they should never have to choose between paying medical bills and paying for basic necessities. In Washington, I will build on successful elements while fixing flaws to make care more accessible, affordable, and patient-centered.

What is your vision for a solution to conflicts involving Israel and the Palestinians? What should the United States be doing to advance this position?

Resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will involve a dynamic, peace-focused approach that prioritizes humanitarian aid and assistance to end suffering on both sides, while building on previous economic and peace agreements that will expand the normalization of trade relationships.

This will be vital for intelligence sharing, military cooperation, technological advancements, humanitarian relief, and economic partnerships that will benefit the West, the Middle East, and the world.

Sustained peace will be pursued in every action. In normalizing trade partnerships and relationships, additional positive consequences unfold, such as shared economic opportunity, cultural exchange, and the spread of democratic values, further working to stabilize the region and end the long suffering of good people on all sides. I will spearhead this effort in Congress, delivering lasting stability and peace.