Christopher Swann

Christopher Swann (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He lost in the Democratic primary on March 17, 2026.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Ending Silence on Genocide and Injustice

The United States must end its support for the Israeli government’s assault on Palestinians and stand firmly for a free Palestine. U.S. military aid should never fund apartheid, occupation, or the bombing of civilians. I support an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian relief, and full Palestinian self-determination. Justice and safety cannot exist without equality and freedom for all people. Our foreign policy must reflect courage, compassion, and accountability.Guaranteed Income

A guaranteed income means direct cash assistance every month so working families can meet basic needs like rent, food, and childcare. It cuts red tape, restores dignity, and replaces outdated programs that punish people for earning more. Our current safety net is fractured and traps families in poverty through the benefits cliff. By providing steady, unconditional income, we can eliminate that cliff, reduce poverty, and give every family real economic security.Medicare for All

Healthcare is a right and should never be a burden. I support Medicare for All so everyone, regardless of income or zip code, can see a doctor, afford medication, and receive mental health support without fear of medical debt. A single payer system ensures care focuses on people, not profit. By investing in prevention and removing barriers to care, we can save lives, lower costs, and guarantee dignity for every person in Illinois.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I come out of the tradition of people like Harold Washington and Fannie Lou Hamer. Like them, I carry a democratic socialist conviction that government must put people over profit. Government must protect people’s freedom, dignity, and equality, not corporate power. I am passionate about ending hunger, guaranteeing income, universal healthcare, and reproductive freedom. I support decarceration, demilitarizing law enforcement, and strengthening unions. I believe in Palestinian self-determination, free education, and a fair path to citizenship. I will fight for voting rights, climate justice, green jobs, tech and AI regulation, public transit, agricultural investment, and true economic democracy that gives power back to working people.