Sam Polan: 2026 candidate for 9th Congressional District

Bio

Office sought: 9th Congressional District

City: Wilmette

Age: 36

Occupation: Unemployed

Previous offices held:

Q&A

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

Right now, vulnerable and marginalized communities are feeling the pressure of rising housing costs, uneven access to healthcare, and widening achievement gaps. When families cannot afford stable housing, access appropriate levels of mental health care, or rely on schools for adequate resources, everyday life becomes a constant struggle to stay afloat, even as they should be seeking out the opportunities that must be afforded to all Americans.

At the same time, many people feel shut out of the systems meant to help them. Bureaucracy is complex, public services are often underfunded, and policies often reflect donor priorities over real community needs. Immigrant families, seniors on fixed incomes, people with disabilities, veterans, and working parents struggle to overcome a system literacy disparity because they are being forced to navigate systems that were not built with their best interests in mind. Addressing this requires practical governance, targeted investment, and sustained engagement beyond election cycles.

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 unilateral foreign policy actions taken by this or any administration. These actions were irresponsible and have and will cause second and third order consequences that have not been fully acknowledged. Our credibility on the international stage comes from coalition building and adhering to international norms. We can acknowledge the good of removing Maduro, but we need to be aware of what comes next and remain committed to the situations we started. That is both a moral and strategic imperative.

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?

No, I do not support or approve of the executive overreach that has been happening. Currently, the executive branch is going far beyond its limits and the legislative and judicial branches should be doing their job to check the executive.

As an example, the tariffs that the President has applied to other nations have been irresponsible and inappropriate. Tariffs can be a powerful economic policy tool for protecting American workers and strengthening our national defense. However, that is only true when, and if, they are applied intentionally and sparingly. Arbitrary and broad tariffs only harm our economy, drive up costs for families, and risk turning allies into adversaries.

I support responsible use of tariffs when needed, but I will oppose reckless trade wars that hurt American jobs, raise prices, and damage our alliances. Trade policy should strengthen our economy, protect workers and the environment, and keep the United States competitive in the industries of the future. Congress can, and should, repeal all of the tariffs that have been applied by the administration.

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

A secure border is a necessary requirement for national security. However, we need a comprehensive immigration policy in combination with a secure border. I believe both documented and undocumented workers living in the U.S. should be provided with a pathway to citizenship.

What we need is comprehensive immigration reform that secures the border, restores order to our immigration courts, protects asylum seekers, and rebuilds the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. Immigrants have continually strengthened the United States.

A comprehensive plan should combine robust enforcement and border security with a fair, humane, and efficient legal immigration system. That means protecting those fleeing persecution while also ensuring communities are not overwhelmed by dysfunction in the system. Reform should be bipartisan, practical, and rooted in both security and compassion.

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 right and foundational to economic security and human dignity. I support strengthening the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs, expanding preventative care, and ensuring no family is bankrupted by medical emergencies. I will support policies that include capping out-of-pocket costs, investing in community and rural healthcare, addressing maternal health disparities, and treating addiction as a health issue, not a crime. I will judge healthcare policy by one question: Will this make people healthier without pushing them into poverty?

I believe we should build the ACA to expand coverage, lower the costs, and give people more affordable options.

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?

I support the United States leading diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the war in Gaza. Lasting peace and stability require that Israel’s right to security be guaranteed and that Palestinians be able to live without fear of violence, forced displacement, or deprivation. The United States must continue to work with regional partners and international organizations to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches civilians in need, and Hamas or other terrorist groups do not divert that aid.

I also oppose any forced displacement of populations and any unilateral territorial changes in Gaza or the West Bank. Those actions would undermine security and any effort to achieve a viable two-state solution. American diplomacy must remain focused on securing the release of hostages, supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist organizations, while working toward a diplomatic outcome where Palestinians can live under a free and sovereign government.