Conforti for Republicans in Congress, Dist. 6

The central question for Republicans in the primary race for the nomination for 6th District U.S. representative is electability.

There are minor philosophical differences between Niki Conforti, an energy consultant from Glen Ellyn, and Skylar Duensing, a professional political activist from Shorewood. Conforti, for instance, states broadly that she supports “policies that end the killings and push for peace.” Duensing more specifically calls for a Mideast policy that “prioritizes humanitarian aid and assistance to end suffering on both sides.” Duensing stresses the importance of focusing immigration enforcement on serious criminal behaviors rather than racial profiling, whereas Conforti urges a “pause” in immigration policy to allow a more comprehensive review of those being allowed into the United States. But beyond such subtle inflections in the array of policies confronting candidates this spring, both are fundamentally Trump-oriented, hard-right conservatives dedicated to low taxes and conservative social values.

Where they depart, though, is in the matter of who has the best chance of retaking the congressional seat that has been held by Democrats since Sean Casten won it from Peter Roskam eight years ago. And while the differences between them in this context are stark, analyzing their potential impact is anything but simple.

At 25 years old, Duensing is a high-energy, singularly focused young conservative in the mold of the late Charlie Kirk. He boasts that he founded the largest Turning Point USA chapter in the country and runs his own nonprofit agency devoted to promoting “faith, family and freedom.” He demonstrates deep conviction and obvious passion in his policy arguments, if not yet a visible well-organized campaign to implement them.

Conforti, a 63-year-old energy consultant with prior experience in health care, reflects equally deep convictions, but also a substantially deeper background than Duensing’s in business and professional affairs. She also brings the experience of a previous political run at this job, having challenged Casten for the seat in 2024.

She lost that bid by more than seven percentage points, however. Is it reasonable to believe she will make up that ground two years later — regardless of whether it’s Casten she faces again or his primary opponent?

That’s not easy to say. Duensing is an assertive and articulate advocate for the causes he espouses and no doubt could mount a campaign of aggressive arguments. But his also would be a campaign fueled more by ambition than profound experience. On that scale, Conforti has a definitive edge. She gets our recommendation.