James T. “Jim” Marter: 2026 candidate for 14th Congressional District

Bio

Party: Republican

Office sought: 14th Congressional District

City: Oswego

Age: 63

Occupation: Software consulting

Previous offices held: Oswego Library District Board Trustee, Kendall County Republican Chairman, 14th District Deputy on Illinois GOP State Central Committee, 2024 Trump Delegate, 2024 Republican Nominee for U.S. Congress

Q&A

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

I will be focused on Fighting waste, fraud, and abuse, and ensure accountability within ALL federal programs. NOTHING is off the table. Reduce all spending in non-defense, non-veterans, discretionary spending, 1st to pre-COVID levels, then move to zero-based budgeting and a balanced budget. I support a balanced budget constitutional amendment with line-item veto on budget bills.

I Support the President Trump's DOGE and swift action to enact rescissions packages targeting wasteful spending, reductions and spending freezes. I support the CAGW, oppose earmarks in the Congressional “Pig Book” and support the elimination of Earmarks.

I will oppose federal funding for political activism, we must defund Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in all areas of the federal government. Make permanent the elimination of USAID and all funding for Planned Parenthood & abortion providers.

The departments of Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and all departments, boards, foundations, commissions, and institutions, not included in the enumerated powers of the Constitution all need to be reduced or eliminated.

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?

Interesting no mention of unilateral foreign policy actions by President's Biden, Obama, GW. Bush, Clinton, GHW Bush, or Reagan. We should be America First, we should be cautious, judicious, and selective on any use of our military. Only Congress may declare war; As for the War Powers Act and Presidential authority, all modern Presidents since the end of World War II have engaged in Military actions without Congressional Approval. In most cases under the War Powers Act which Congress delegated part of its own authority. I believed we must take a hard look at it.

That said President Trump's actions are as authorized as all the actions taken by the last 6 Presidents. Islamic terrorism, all terrorism including narco-terrorism, Nations who support or are HAMAS, Foreign Criminal Cartels like MS-13 & Tren de Aragua, are a threat to the United States' national security. I think it is right and proper that we declare “war” against any existing terrorist organizations and foreign criminal cartels and authorize spending and authority to the Commander in chief to address terrorism, against the United States and our allies.

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?

I support President Trump who is committed to lowering costs for all Americans, securing our borders, unleashing American energy dominance, restoring peace through strength, and making all Americans safe and secure once again.

Since President Trump returned to office, ICE has deported nearly 200,000 illegal aliens, including 47,885 with charges or convictions for assault, 16,552 with charges or convictions for sexual assaults and 2,699 with charges or convictions for homicides. And 1.6 million illegal aliens have left the country voluntarily.

U.S. benefit programs should serve U.S. citizens; more than $40 billion in benefit programs stopped going to illegal aliens since the EO, “Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders.” EO's also cleaned out the Deep State, fired rogue bureaucrats and career politicians, and reduced government corruption.

DOGE brought accountability and transparency to federal spending, ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and effectively and it has already saved taxpayers billions of dollars. All that said, we need a Congress that ACTs to do its job, instead of spending TRILLIONS on Waste, Fraud and Abuse.

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

The border should be closed to illegals, secure from foreign criminal cartels, gangbangers, and human traffickers. It should be safe and secure, every single mile.

On immigration we should only allow Individuals seeking to become an American citizen who LOVE America and FREEDOM, who possess, drive, skill, and ability to prosper, on a limited number basis capped at levels that protect American citizens interest first. And those who are legitimate in eminent danger and meet the full legal requirements for refugee and Asylum status.

I support the constitutional immigration process. 1. Build and Finish the WALL 2. Enforce existing Immigration law. 3. No DACA and No Amnesty 4. End LBJ's Chain migration immigration. 5. End the practice of birthright citizenship for illegal aliens and foreign visitors. 6. Enforce the Border, deport illegal immigrant when detained. End catch-and-release. Require law enforcement to report 7. End Sanctuary Cities, States 8. Enforce the law against employers breaking it 9. Cap and reduce all Immigration.

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 PPACA (Obamacare, Bidencare, UnderCare) or as I know it the UN-Affordable Care ACT. It’s time we kill the beast and Make Healthcare Affordable Again by rejecting PPACA. Congress passed a bill to put Healthcare dollars in individual hands; Underwood countered with a bill to fund the beast with BILLION$ going to BIG HEALTHCARE, PHARMA.

I will: strengthen laws protecting preexisting conditions; enact radical tort reform to protect both patients harmed and consumers from footing the bills for billions in damages and fraud; enact portability of insurance across state lines & from employer to employee, states may not ban out of state; remove limitations on when, where and how you can buy insurance, eliminate year-end sign-up periods; strengthen and promote health share networks; and enact tax-deductible health savings accounts for all, no exceptions, no account draining at year end, and can withdraw for non-heath care but required to pay taxes. HSA’s with 25% of income eligibility up to $1MM. Require mandatory price lists, quotes from all healthcare providers, without regard to a person's ability to pay or coverage, do not allow price gouging. Return to Free Market!

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 our ally, Israel. I strongly condemn the terrorist organization HAMAS and the heinous, evil, and barbaric acts of war against Israel and its people. I denounce Anti-Semitism and the rising threats against the Jewish people promoted by the radical left in American and around the World. I denounce the radical members of Congress who engage in Anti-Semitism. I call on my opponent Lauren Underwood to denounce the actions and statements of Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib & other members Anti-Semitic members.

Islamic terrorism & Narco-terrorism must be eradicated, they are a threat to the United States' national security.

I support Congress to remove funding of all TERRORIST Organizations and NATIONS (e.g. USAID, HAMAS, Foreign Criminal Cartels like MS-13 & Tren de Aragua), stop doing business with them, and stop allowing them to be in the UN.

I would continue to leverage our National Security apparatus to monitoring, intercede, and interfere with the operation of terrorist & cartel organizations, as well as countries and globalist who fund, support and do business with terrorist, and sponsors of terrorism.