Awisi Bustos: 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate

Bio

Office sought: U.S. Senate

City: Springfield

Age: 39

Occupation: Candidate

Previous offices held: N/A

Q&A

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

My top priority is expanding real opportunity — through equitable education, preparation for the jobs of the future, and a government that truly works for the people.

Every child deserves access to high-quality schools. Every worker deserves a fair shot at good-paying, forward-looking careers. And every community deserves leadership that is transparent, accountable, and focused on the public good. That means making smart investments in education and workforce development, removing barriers to opportunity, and restoring trust in government by ensuring it operates with integrity — not for special interests.

At its core, this is about shared prosperity: building systems that equip people to succeed and creating a government that is responsive, responsible, and rooted in the needs of the communities it serves.

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?

No, I do not support a unilateral foreign policy that violates the sovereignty of other nations.

The United States does not get to disregard international law or another country’s sovereignty simply because we disagree with its leadership. If it is wrong for other nations to ignore international norms, it is wrong for us as well. That principle must apply consistently.

Our foreign policy should reflect integrity, accountability, and our democratic values. That means working through lawful processes, engaging multilaterally whenever possible, and ensuring any use of force is justified, transparent, and subject to constitutional oversight.

Actions such as seizing a foreign head of state or conducting unilateral military strikes without clear legal grounding demand serious scrutiny. Strength is not recklessness. Leadership is not unilateralism. We must lead in a way that reflects the values we claim to defend.

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?

Over time, presidents of both parties have expanded executive authority in foreign policy, trade, emergency declarations, and the increasing use of executive orders. That concentration of power weakens the constitutional checks and balances that protect our democracy.

Decisions about military action, sweeping tariffs, and national emergencies should not rest primarily on unilateral discretion. These choices affect the entire country and require congressional debate, transparency, and meaningful oversight. When Congress defers its responsibilities, it allows executive power to grow beyond its intended limits.

This is not a partisan issue. Constitutional guardrails must apply no matter who is president. Congress must reassert its authority, emergency powers should be narrowly defined and time-limited, and executive actions must be clearly grounded in law.

Strong leadership does not mean unchecked power. If we want to defend democratic values, we must uphold them at home by restoring balance, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.

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

U.S. border policy must be secure, lawful, and humane. We can protect our borders and uphold our values at the same time.

If elected, I would modernize border security by investing in technology and strengthening ports of entry, while targeting real threats like human trafficking and organized crime. Security should be strategic and effective — not political theater.

We must also fix the system by expanding immigration courts and asylum processing so cases are handled quickly and fairly. Due process is a constitutional principle, not an obstacle.

I support strong oversight to ensure enforcement agencies operate legally and humanely. We also need updated legal pathways that reflect economic realities and regional cooperation to address root causes of migration.

The goal is to restore order, protect rights, and build an immigration system that works.

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?

The government has a responsibility to ensure every American has access to affordable, quality health care. Health care is essential to economic security and public well-being, and the government’s role is to protect consumers, control costs, and close coverage gaps while supporting innovation and choice.

We must protect people with pre-existing conditions, prevent medical bankruptcy, and address high costs — especially prescription drug prices and administrative inefficiencies.

Regarding the Affordable Care Act, we should strengthen it, not dismantle it. That means maintaining and expanding premium subsidies, improving marketplace competition, and continuing to allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices. In the long term, we should work toward universal healthcare modeled on Switzerland’s system — where coverage is mandatory, insurers compete in a regulated marketplace, and strong government oversight ensures affordability and universal access Illinoisans deserve stable, affordable coverage for all, with a system that works for patients rather than special interests. I already have a draft bill

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?

My vision is a just and durable peace where both Israelis and Palestinians live in safety, dignity, and self-determination. We should not have to choose between Israeli security and Palestinian rights — both are essential.

Israel has the right to protect its citizens from terrorism, and attacks on civilians and the taking of hostages are indefensible. At the same time, Palestinian civilians must be protected, and international law must apply consistently.

The United States should push for sustained de-escalation, full humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. But stabilization alone is not enough. We need a credible political horizon that includes meaningful Palestinian self-governance and a viable path to statehood alongside strong security guarantees for Israel.

U.S. diplomacy and assistance should advance civilian protection, accountability, and long-term peacebuilding. Lasting peace requires consistency, courage, and a firm commitment to human dignity for both peoples.