Melissa Bean: 2026 candidate for the 8th Congressional District

Bio

Office sought: 8th Congressional District

Party: Democrat

City: Barrington

Age: 64

Previous offices held: 8th Congressional District

Q&A

What is your view on the role of tariffs in the American economy? Do you support the president’s policies on setting tariffs on goods from other countries?

Tariffs can be a useful trade tool, but they must be targeted and strategic, and they should be done in coordination with allies. Broad, untargeted tariffs function as a tax on U.S. consumers and manufacturers, driving up prices while failing to meaningfully change behavior of other countries.

In recent years, presidents of both parties have claimed broader authority in foreign policy, trade, and executive orders. I’m concerned about this trend, particularly the Trump Administration’s unilateral and retaliatory trade actions that have already created uncertainty for workers, farmers, and businesses.

Our system depends on checks and balances. When power concentrates in the executive branch, congressional oversight weakens, transparency declines, and accountability to the public suffers. Swift executive action may be needed at times, but it should be the exception – not the norm.

The fix is straightforward: Congress must reclaim its role – on trade, on oversight of foreign engagements, and through serious bipartisan lawmaking.

What should Congress do to protect Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid? Will Congress act in time to prevent significant cuts in Social Security benefits?

This is a top concern I’m hearing – both from Seniors who rely on Social Security today, and young people who are paying into the program but worry it won’t be around when they retire. The Social Security Trustees Report projects that unless Congress acts, beginning in 2032 Social Security will no longer be able to pay full scheduled benefits.

In Congress, I was proud to protect the solvency of the Social Security trust fund to ensure that Americans can retire with dignity, and I’m committed to defending it once again. I’m particularly proud to have been endorsed by the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, given my 100% score on this issue. They know that I will continue to make the preservation and improvement of Social Security and other key safety net programs a priority when I return to Congress.

One of my priorities will be passing my Secure Social Security Act, legislation to protect the solvency of the trust fund and ensure Americans can access the benefits they’ve earned through a lifetime of hard work.

How do you rate the state of health care in America? In particular, what are your views on the Affordable Care Act and the concept of Medicare for All?

I was proud to work with President Obama to pass the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Before the ACA, young adults couldn’t stay on their parents’ plans, millions were denied or dropped for preexisting conditions, and many were priced out of coverage. The leading cause of bankruptcy in the US was from one healthcare catastrophe, and that included people with health insurance. The ACA changed that by expanding coverage benefits, strengthening consumer protections, improving preventive care, and slowing cost growth.

That progress is now at risk. The erosion of ACA tax credits by the Trump Administration and this Republican majority has made coverage unaffordable for families and increased costs systemwide. When people lose insurance, they rely on emergency rooms, driving up uncompensated care and raising premiums and taxpayer spending.

We must strengthen—not weaken—the ACA by protecting tax credits, maintaining protections for preexisting conditions, encouraging competition to control costs, and investing in preventive and primary care. I supported the ACA because I believe in protecting the health and dignity of every American—and I will continue to fight for that vision.

How would you describe the working relationships in the U.S. House today? What can be done to promote more effective government in Congress, and what will you do personally to work toward this goal?

People across the 8th District are tired of the division and dysfunction dominating Washington. Families want competence, stability, and results, not chaos or empty promises. They want to know that they can count on their leaders to deliver on the issues impacting their daily lives.

I know that progress is possible, because I did the hard work and delivered it: Healthcare, Equal Pay, Wall Street reforms, Internet Safety, SBA Lending, and more. To get back to that, we need skilled legislators who know how to build consensus. I was known in Congress for getting things done, and I bring with me experience, independence, and a relentless focus on outcomes. I will also leverage relationships with members on both sides of the aisle that I can work with immediately.

I’ve also led in civic, nonprofit, and private sector settings, bringing together business leaders, workers, and community stakeholders to solve complex challenges. That kind of coalition-building is essential to governing effectively.

Experience matters, and we need leaders who know how to deliver. I’ve been tested, and I know how to turn policy into progress. That’s the leadership this moment requires.

Do you believe the nation's election system and those of the individual states are secure and fair? If not, what must be done to improve them?

Free and fair elections are the bedrock of democracy, and voting should be accessible, secure, and free from fear. I am deeply opposed to the Trump administration’s effort to entrench power, undermine representative democracy, weaken faith in our elections, and dilute the voice of American voters.

One of my priorities is to pass my VOTE act to ensure voters can verify that their ballot has been accurately counted. This will be critical to restoring Americans’ trust in our electoral system following the President’s continued claims of unsubstantiated fraud whenever he loses an election.

I’m also concerned that the Supreme Court seems more interested in doing the President’s bidding than protecting democracy and civil rights. From aiding attempts to restrict mail-in voting, to the Louisiana v. Callais decision that dilutes the power of Black voters and weakens the Voting Rights Act, SCOTUS is setting a precedent that could disenfranchise voters across the country for generations.

We must invest in secure voting systems, ballot verification, paper backups, post-election audits, and protections for election workers who increasingly face threats and intimidation.

If elected, what will you do to help make Congress more effective?

During my time in Congress, we delivered real solutions for working families. I am deeply committed to bringing that solutions-oriented mindset back to Congress, but first and foremost, we must restore our Constitution, checks and balances, and Congressional authority – particularly powers of the purse, tariffs, taxes, and war.

Our system was never designed to be beholden to one man, and our top priority must be to restore democracy and regain the trust of the American people.

Then, we can get to the urgent work of the people, including passing my Empowering Young Americans Plan to restore economic security and upward mobility by investing in affordable education, expanding access to housing, protecting affordable healthcare, strengthening retirement security, and promoting job growth. I hear from young people who feel like the American Dream has grown inaccessible – this plan works to bring that dream back within reach.

I am running to restore our democracy, rebuild trust with the American people, and reclaim Congress’ Constitutional authority so that we can return to the important business of delivering progress for working families in Illinois and across the country.