Kevin Ryan: 2026 candidate for U.S. Senate

Bio

Office sought: U.S. Senate

City: Chicago

Age: 33

Occupation: Public School Teacher

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

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

My first priority is to take money out of politics by amending the Constitution to incorporate three basic principles into the supreme law of the land: (1) Congress has the authority to regulate spending in elections, (2) corporations are not people, and (3) money is not speech. Aligned with amending the Constitution, my second priority is to enact federal publicly financed campaigns to level the playing field for grassroots candidates.

By enacting these two measures we will begin to elect people who will finally make our government work for all of us. Then we will see the majorities we need to enact Medicare for All, universal childcare, federally funded public education, housing reform, etc. Medicare for All is my third priority. But I know we will never be able to enact this landmark legislation so long as the healthcare industry can continue to use its tremendous wealth to buy our elections.

Right now, our government only works for 1% because the 1% have bought our elected officials. Any broken system will produce corrupted outcomes. If we want our government to work for all of us, we need to go to the source … our elections. We need to take money out of politics.

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?

Military intervention should always be a last resort, in accordance with international law, and never unilateral. War is not something to be celebrated. It is the abject waste of human potential, energy, and existence. And it should be treated as such. I condemned the United States’ violation of international law when it invaded Iraq and tortured prisoners at Guantanamo.

In that same breath, I also condemn the United States’ violations of international law under President Trump through unilateral strikes and military actions … including the bombing of Iran, assaults on Venezuelan ships, and the seizure of the Venezuelan president. We must criticize states that violate international law, including our own.

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?

What we’ve watched is the executive branch trying to govern like a “mad king” … on foreign policy, tariffs, executive orders, and unilateral actions that dodge democratic accountability. That’s not strength. That’s a broken process producing corrupted outcomes.

On foreign policy, Congress needs to reassert its constitutional role. Military intervention should always be a last resort, in accordance with international law, and never unilateral … and the War Powers framework has to actually mean something.

On tariffs and economic policy, we need to stop letting one person whip the economy around by executive fiat. The White House itself laid out “reciprocal tariff” actions via executive order in 2025 … that kind of power needs tighter limits, transparency, and real legislative control.

Bottom line: if we want the government to work for all of us, we need to restore checks and balances … and end the incentives that reward unilateral power grabs over the general welfare.

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

I believe in resetting our immigration system. This means providing amnesty to all people living, working, paying taxes, and following the law in the United States. Then we need to overhaul our immigration system to make it easier for people to enter the United States legally while also enforcing our border to ensure people do not enter illegally.

I support abolishing ICE and creating ICE free zones, particularly in and around schools and court houses. And I believe we need to hold leaders and individuals of ICE, DHS, ERO, and USBP accountable for their violations of Constitutional rights. Additionally I support the elimination and consolidation of the nearly 100 federal law enforcement agencies. If elected, I will support and introduce legislation to enact these reforms.

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?

Healthcare is a human right. No person should be denied that right. Government healthcare works. The VA provides not just my healthcare, but healthcare for millions of Americans.

Medicare for All would not only be a more cost effective medical plan, but it would also provide better treatment for everyday Americans each and every day. In the wealthiest country on Earth, we are not limited by resources. We are limited by corporate greed. Why? Because corporations profit from the current, broken healthcare system.

If elected, I will support and introduce legislation to enact Medicare for All. Regarding the ACA, I want everyone in the United States to have access to free, quality healthcare. But that will never happen so long as the $1.7 trillion health industry can continue to spend $250 million each cycle to buy elected officials … which is why my first priority is to take money out of politics.

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?

Israel has committed a genocide in Gaza in its attempt to ethnically cleanse the region. I therefore strongly support the Block the Bombs Act. Additionally, I believe the United States government must stop all aid to the State of Israel until the current administration is held accountable for its crimes against humanity and a new administration is installed that recognizes, in good faith, the State of Palestine. Finally, the aid that would have otherwise went to Israel should be used to help alleviate the suffering of Palestinians and kickstart the reconstruction of Gaza.

I condemn the targeting of all civilians. International law compels all parties to a conflict to protect civilian lives and property.

We must treat the State of Israel as a geopolitical entity separately from that of the Jewish identity. Antisemitism is very real today, and it must not be tolerated. We must criticize states that violate international law … not the cultural, ethnic, racial, and religious entities that comprise those states.