Joshua Loyd

Joshua Loyd was born in Murphysboro, Illinois. He graduated from Carbondale Community High School. Loyd served in the U.S. Army. He earned a bachelor's degree from the United States Military Academy in 2022.[1]

Joshua Loyd did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

blockquote{border-left:none !important;padding-left:2em;position:relative;color:#444;font-family:"Libre Franklin",Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px;color:#202122;font-style:normal;}blockquote::before{content:open-quote;font-size:3em;line-height:0.1em;position:absolute;left:-10px;top:40px;color:#ccc}blockquote::after{content:close-quote;font-size:3em;line-height:0.1em;position:absolute;right:0;bottom:0;color:#ccc}

Campaign websiteLoyd's campaign website stated the following:National DefenseAs a veteran, Joshua Loyd proudly supports our men and women in uniform. He believes our military is a fundamental core component of our democracy and freedom that we enjoy every single day.With the United States nearing a war that could be a near-peer competition, Joshua Loyd believes we must maintain a strong and capable military. Further, Joshua Loyd wants to ensure military spending is happening appropriately and that proper military standards and training processes are occurring without mismanagement.AgricultureJoshua Loyd stands behind our farmers. As a National leader, Illinois ranks #1 in Soy production, #2 in Corn, and #4 in Swine. Illinois agriculture supports over 482,000 Jobs.As a result, Joshua Loyd believes there should be less legislative burden on farmers and greater access to agricultural resources. Some examples include:– Supply chain resources– Flood Protections– Easier H-2A access– Wellness Resources– Access to trainingIf you would like to help better Illinois Agriculture, please consider being a volunteer.Unions, Labor, Vocational Trades & EducationJoshua Loyd is in full support of labor unions and their families. No worker should be employed in a professional career and still have to worry about how they are going to make ends meet. Joshua will also ensure more government contracts are brought to our district for our union workers.One-third of all American employers say they can’t find the right workers because of the lack of applicants with the right skills. This has become known as the ‘Skills Gap’. Joshua Loyd strongly believes in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the high school and post-secondary educational levels. Joshua Loyd has also served numerous roles advocating for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) funding at the federal level.By increasing access to CTE we are not only helping fund critically needed skilled labor, but we are helping reduce the overall amount of educational debt the US incurs each year.Organizations considered CTSO include:– FFA– SkillsUSA– FBLA– DECA– HOSAFree EnterpriseFree enterprise encourages economic growth and prosperity by promoting competition, innovation, and efficiency. When businesses are free to compete, they are motivated to produce high-quality goods and services at lower prices. Free enterprise encourages entrepreneurship by providing opportunities for individuals to start their businesses and pursue their ideas. This helps to protect individual freedoms, choices, and prevents government overreach.Further, there must be consumer and labor protection laws that ensure the safety of people from unnecessary dangers.Economy and Government SpendingYOU should not feel the burden of wasteful government spending.The US is over $31 trillion in debt. That is astronomical! Have you ever thought of where that money goes? Joshua Loyd is adamant about reducing wasteful spending and creating an accountability mechanism to ensure Federal funds are spent resourcefully.Teachers should not feel the burden of wasteful government spending.Farmers should not feel the burden of wasteful government spending.If you want to see how the government wastes your money, visit: https://posey.house.gov/wasteful-spending/2nd AmendmentThe Second Amendment was written by patriots who fought off a tyrannical government to ensure the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Joshua Loyd is a supporter of the Second Amendment.The Problem is not guns. The issue of many gun-related problems stem from mental health, gang violence, and self-inflicted incidents.On average, there are roughly 270 guns for every square mile in the United States.Let us help those who are mentally ill and those who come from unfortunate social backgrounds before considering stripping Constitutional rights from individuals.(PS Criminals don’t care about the rule of law, why would gun laws be any different?)Limited GovernmentLimited Government means that people are free to live their lives as they choose, and express themselves without undue interference.Protection of States’ Rights: This helps to ensure that laws and regulations are tailored to the specific needs and values of different regions and populations.A limited government also encourages innovation and entrepreneurship by minimizing regulations and restrictions on businesses and individuals.Individuals: The government has no right to interfere with a person’s life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness. The more laws we enact on the public, the fewer freedoms we can claim we have. Joshua Loyd will ensure the government has no place between you and your freedoms.InfrastructureWith the rapidly aging infrastructure of the past century, Joshua Loyd is adamant that we as a nation start looking ahead into the future and determine what type of infrastructure is necessary to continue our success as a nation. Not even 100 years ago, the common household did not have electricity. Today, we have an aging and overloaded power grid. 100 years ago, common plumbing was not a thing. Today, our municipalities provide water but are often wrecked by outdated and aged infrastructure.Let us update and modernize our infrastructure!Some examples Joshua Loyd is focused on include intrastate travel through Springfield to St. Louis and Chicago, electrical grid modernization, and governmental agency realignments.Protecting Social Security and MedicareMillions of Americans rely on Social Security and Medicare. Unfortunately, the Federal government’s Social Security program is expected to collapse within the next 2 decades (2035). Joshua Loyd supports work on protecting the Americans who rely on Social Security and Medicare without privatizing the system.Congress needs to take a good look at Social Security because the working generation should not have to worry about paying into a system that might not be there when they are ready to retire.National Parks and EnvironmentOne of the greatest gifts given to us Americans is our precious landscapes, including the beautiful and majestic national parks. Our nation must protect and ensure the longevity of the natural environment and its resources, and Joshua Loyd will work to enforce this.As you may know, the United States is home to some awe-inspiring landscapes andnatural environments such as the Rocky Mountains, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Acadia.These national treasures are not only majestic in beauty and resource, but they also provide numerous benefits to both humans and wildlife.That is why it is so important that we work to preserve and protect these vital resources for future generations.I am not opposed to resource extraction, only the pollution and derangement of the area once finished. I hope we can all agree that conservation is a crucial step in the process of land management.— Joshua Loyd's campaign website (February 25, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Joshua Loyd is a US Army Veteran serving both in the National Guard and Active duty component. Mr. Loyd graduated from the United States Military Academy with a degree in Management: Business and an engineering focus of Electrical Engineering. He is the recipient of the "Gold" Presidential Volunteer Service Award. Some organizations he has volunteered with include Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), SkillsUSA Illinois, and Boy Scouts of America (BSA). Mr. Loyd first ran, and was elected, as a Precinct committeeman in Jackson County Illinois.

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?

Teacher: The teacher is the illuminating torch of the future. Without educators at all level, our posterity would not have the 'tools' in order to excell on the national stage. Joshua Loyd wants to focus his attention on improving access to post-secondary education, access to vocational training and apprenticeships, and educational resources that will help both educators and students excel in and out of the classroom.Preacher: The preacher is the symbol for wellness and caring for us holistically. This means NGO's, Healthcare workers, volunteers, and faith based resources that help improve the community. Mr. Loyd wants to focus on helping these organizations by equipping them with the resources they need to perform their duties and volunteer work.Soldier: The symbol of strength, protection, law and order. Mr. Loyd is a proud veteran who stands with the men and women in uniform, regardless if that is military, police and fire, or any other type of civil employee. As a community, we agree to abide by certain rules of law and it is these individuals that help ensure our safety, freedom, and American way of life. We must help them by ensuring they have the support needed to function and operate effectively.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, National Defense, Monetary, and Infrastructure

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Elected Officials need to understand ethics. Whether it is Utilitarian or deontological, officials must understand why they make tough decisions and what standard they stand by. It is often hypocritical of politicians jumping back and fourth on topics just because it no longer fits their narrative.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Joshua Loyd puts people first. He finds joy in conversing with people and getting to know them.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

In 2011, Joshua Loyd visited Washington D.C. with his mother for a Yellow Ribbon event. While touring the national mall, a faith based Christian organization asked if we would like a prayer. As the Blonde haired gentleman placed his hand on Joshua and started to pray, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck Washington D.C., the largest in over 100 years. Although the ground shook, they continued to pray.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Tony Stark

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The US House of Representatives is interesting because it is a broad body of individuals ranging from every sector of life, from every ethnicity, from every view point, in order to focus on one nation as a whole body.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Over the next decade the greatest challenge for the US will be an aging population, boarder security and control, civil unrest, the foreign near-peer adversaries, and the shift into a more Artificial Intelligence controlled workforce.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Term limits are necessary to ensure the peoples, not those who can manipulate the system, to have their voices heard

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

While serving in Military Funeral Honors, Joshua Loyd heard from friends and families stories of their loved ones. It was extremely impactful to hear that people sometimes realize what is important in life only after it is too late. Joshua Loyd has heard dozens of stories from different communities of Illinois, rural and urban, about the life of these individuals and what they believed in, how they treated other, what they enjoyed doing, and many more interesting stories that help shape a person as an individual.

Campaign website

Loyd’s campaign website stated the following:

Agriculture

Joshua Loyd stands behind our farmers. As a National leader, Illinois ranks #1 in Soy production, #2 in Corn, and #4 in Swine. Illinois agriculture supports over 482,000 Jobs.

As a result, Joshua Loyd believes there should be less legislative burden on farmers and greater access to agricultural resources. Some examples include:

-Supply chain resources

-Flood Protections

-Easier H-2A access

-Wellness Resources

-Access to training

If you would like to help better Illinois Agriculture, please consider being a volunteer.

Economy and Government Spending

YOU should not feel the burden of wasteful government spending.

The US is over $31 trillion in debt. That is astronomical! Have you ever thought of where that money goes? Joshua Loyd is adamant about reducing wasteful spending and creating an accountability mechanism to ensure Federal funds are spent resourcefully.

Teachers should not feel the burden of wasteful government spending.

Farmers should not feel the burden of wasteful government spending.

If you want to see how the government wastes your money, visit: https://posey.house.gov/wasteful-spending/

Protecting Social Security & Medicare

Millions of Americans rely on Social Security and Medicare. Unfortunately, the Federal government's Social Security program is expected to collapse within the next 2 decades (2035). Joshua Loyd supports work on protecting the Americans who rely on Social Security and Medicare without privatizing the system.

Congress needs to take a good look at Social Security because the working generation should not have to worry about paying into a system that might not be there when they are ready to retire.

2nd Amendment

The Second Amendment was written by patriots who fought off a tyrannical government to ensure the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Joshua Loyd is a supporter of the Second Amendment.

The Problem is not guns. The issue of many gun-related problems stems from mental health, gang violence, and self-inflicted incidents.

On average, there are roughly 270 guns for every square mile in the United States.

If you oppose guns, your concern is understandable, and it's completely understandable to be worried. Guns are instruments and can be dangerous; they should be handled with the utmost precaution, but just remember 800K Rwandans, 2 million Cambodians, 300K Ugandans, 100-200K Guatemalans, and 20-35 million Chinese [...] were brutally murdered after Gun Control legislation.

Let us help those who are mentally ill and those who come from unfortunate social backgrounds before considering stripping Constitutional rights from individuals.

(PS Criminals don't care about the rule of law, why would gun laws be any different?)

Vocational Trades & Education

One-third of all American employers say they can't find the right workers because of the lack of applicants with the right skills. This has become known as the 'Skills Gap'. Joshua Loyd is a strong believer in Career and Technical Education (CTE) at the high school and post-secondary educational levels. Joshua Loyd has also served numerous roles advocating for Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSO) funding at the federal level.

By increasing access to CTE we are not only helping fund critically needed skilled labor, but we are helping reduce the overall amount of educational debt the US incurs each year.

Organizations considered CTSO include:

-FFA

-SkillsUSA

-FBLA

-DECA

-HOSA

Visit https://www.isbe.net/ctso to learn more

National Parks & Environment

One of the greatest gifts given to us Americans is our precious landscapes, including the beautiful and majestic national parks. Our nation has a duty to protect and ensure the longevity of the natural environment and its resources, and Joshua Loyd will work to enforce this.

As you may know, the United States is home to some awe-inspiring landscapes and natural environments such as the Rocky Mountains, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Acadia.

These national treasures are not only majestic in beauty and resource, but they provide numerous benefits to both humans and wildlife.

That is why it is so important that we work to preserve and protect these vital resources for future generations.

I am not opposed to resource extraction, only the pollution and derangement of the area once finished. I hope we can all agree that conservation is a crucial step in the process of land management.

National Defense

As a veteran, Joshua Loyd proudly supports our men and women in uniform. He believes our military is a fundamental core component of our democracy and freedom that we enjoy every single day.

With the United States nearing a war that could be a near-peer competition, Joshua Loyd believes we must maintain a strong and capable military. Further, Joshua Loyd wants to ensure military spending is happening appropriately and that proper military standards and training processes are occurring without mismanagement.

Infrastructure

With the rapidly aging infrastructure of the past century, Joshua Loyd is adamant that we as a nation start looking ahead into the future and determine what type of infrastructure is necessary to continue our success as a nation. Not even 100 years ago, the common household did not have electricity. Today, we have an aging and overloaded power grid. 100 years ago, common plumbing was not a thing. Today, our municipalities provide water but are often wrecked by outdated and aged infrastructure.

Let us update and modernize our infrastructure!

Some examples Joshua Loyd is focused on include intrastate travel through Springfield to St. Louis and Chicago, electrical grid modernization, and governmental agency realignments.

Limited Government

Limited Government means that people are free to live their lives as they choose, and express themselves without undue interference.

Protection of States' Rights: This helps to ensure that laws and regulations are tailored to the specific needs and values of different regions and populations.

A limited government also encourages innovation and entrepreneurship by minimizing regulations and restrictions on businesses and individuals.

Individuals: The government has no right in interfering with a person's life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness. The more laws we enact on the public, the fewer freedoms we can claim we have. Joshua Loyd will ensure the government has no place between you and your freedoms.

Free Enterprise

Free enterprise encourages economic growth and prosperity by promoting competition, innovation, and efficiency. When businesses are free to compete, they are motivated to produce high-quality goods and services at lower prices. Free enterprise encourages entrepreneurship by providing opportunities for individuals to start their businesses and pursue their ideas. This helps to protect individual freedoms, choices, and prevents government overreach.

Further, there must be consumer and labor protection laws that ensure the safety of people from unnecessary dangers.

To best translate Joshua Loyds values, he likes to use imagery. Together, the "Teacher, Preacher, & Service" make a trinity of the "Three Noble Pillars". They represent the Mind, Heart, and Strength of our nation.

Teacher

As the mind of our nation, Teachers are educators but also gate keepers. They include the trades and academia. These professionals help people by providing them with knowledge and skills needed for making a living and gaining a sense of satisfaction.

Preacher

As the heart of our nation, and cultivator of spiritual sanctity, the Preacher is entrusted with caring for us holistically. From physical and mental health to spiritual and religious beliefs, the Preacher represents our health; physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Service

As the strength of our nation, the Service member is entrusted with our peace and security. The Service member is the wall, the fortress of resolute sacrifice. Preserving our freedom and sovereignty is essential for our nation’s identity, and our armed forces help us protect this identity. In every one of our communities, law and order preserves our safety and our justice system. The service member represents justice, security, law, and order.[2]

—Joshua Loyd’s campaign website (2024)[3]

Joshua Loyd did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.