Public policy made simple. Dive into ourinformation hub today!

Robert Palmer (Illinois)

From Ballotpedia
Robert Palmer
Image of Robert Palmer

Candidate, U.S. Senate Illinois

Elections and appointments
Next election

March 17, 2026

Education

Associate

Kennedy-King College, 2010

Bachelor's

Roosevelt University, 2011

Graduate

National Louis University, 2021

Personal
Birthplace
Chicago, Ill.
Profession
Teacher
Contact

Robert Palmer (Democratic Party) is running for election to theU.S. Senate to represent Illinois. He declared candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled onMarch 17, 2026.[source]

Biography

Robert Palmer was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned an associate degree from Kennedy-King College in 2010, a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roosevelt University in 2011, and a graduate degree from National Louis University in 2021. His career experience includes working as a teacher, a special education classroom assistant, a licensed substitute teacher, a managing real estate broker, an actor, and a producer.

Palmer has been affiliated with the Chicago Teacher Union, SEIU local 73, the National Association of Realtors, the Illinois Association of Realtors, the Chicago Association of Realtors, the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Service Employees International Union, and the Screen Actors Guild‐American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.[1][2]

Elections

2026

See also: United States Senate election in Illinois, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on March 17, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

General election for U.S. Senate Illinois

Austin Mink (Independent),Tyrone Muhammad (Independent), andAnthony Smith (Independent) are running in the general election for U.S. Senate Illinois on November 3, 2026.

Candidate
Image of Austin Mink
Austin Mink (Independent) Candidate Connection
Image of Tyrone Muhammad
Tyrone Muhammad (Independent)
Anthony Smith (Independent)

Ballotpedia Logo

There are noincumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

The following candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Illinois on March 17, 2026.

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Illinois

The following candidates are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Illinois on March 17, 2026.

Ballotpedia Logo

There are noincumbents in this race.

Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement,click here.

2023

See also: City elections in Chicago, Illinois (2023)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 5

Desmon Yancy defeatedMartina Hone in the general runoff election for Chicago City Council Ward 5 on April 4, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔Desmon Yancy (Nonpartisan)
 
51.8
 
6,184
Martina Hone (Nonpartisan)
 
48.2
 
5,758

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 11,942
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

General election

General election for Chicago City Council Ward 5

The following candidates ran in the general election for Chicago City Council Ward 5 on February 28, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔Desmon Yancy (Nonpartisan)
 
26.0
 
2,772
✔Martina Hone (Nonpartisan)
 
18.6
 
1,983
Renita Ward (Nonpartisan)
 
11.9
 
1,266
Wallace Goode (Nonpartisan)
 
10.5
 
1,118
Jocelyn Hare (Nonpartisan)
 
8.7
 
927
Joshua Gray (Nonpartisan)
 
6.5
 
690
Kris Levy (Nonpartisan)
 
4.6
 
488
Image of Gabriel Piemonte
Gabriel Piemonte (Nonpartisan)
 
4.1
 
438
Image of Dialika Perkins
Dialika Perkins (Nonpartisan)
 
3.7
 
399
Marlene Fisher (Nonpartisan)
 
3.7
 
397
Image of Robert Palmer
Robert Palmer (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
1.8
 
197
Image of William Calloway
William Calloway (Nonpartisan) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
1

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,676
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2022

See also: Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Jonathan Jackson defeatedEric Carlson,Tori Nicholson, andBabette Peyton in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jonathan Jackson
Jonathan Jackson (D) Candidate Connection
 
67.0
 
159,142
Image of Eric Carlson
Eric Carlson (R) Candidate Connection
 
33.0
 
78,258
Tori Nicholson (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
13
Image of Babette Peyton
Babette Peyton (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
12

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 237,425
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on June 28, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Jonathan Jackson
Jonathan Jackson Candidate Connection
 
28.2
 
21,607
Image of Pat Dowell
Pat Dowell Candidate Connection
 
19.0
 
14,594
Image of Karin Norington-Reaves
Karin Norington-Reaves Candidate Connection
 
14.1
 
10,825
Image of Jacqueline Collins
Jacqueline Collins
 
12.1
 
9,299
Image of Chris Butler
Chris Butler Candidate Connection
 
5.4
 
4,141
Image of Jahmal Cole
Jahmal Cole
 
5.3
 
4,045
Image of Jonathan Swain
Jonathan Swain
 
3.3
 
2,554
Image of Michael Thompson
Michael Thompson Candidate Connection
 
2.2
 
1,680
Charise Williams
 
2.1
 
1,601
Image of Cassandra Goodrum
Cassandra Goodrum Candidate Connection
 
1.9
 
1,422
Image of Marcus Lewis
Marcus Lewis
 
1.2
 
901
Image of Robert Palmer
Robert Palmer
 
1.2
 
899
Nykea Pippion McGriff
 
1.2
 
892
Image of Terre Layng Rosner
Terre Layng Rosner Candidate Connection
 
1.0
 
780
Ameena Nuur Matthews
 
0.9
 
686
Image of Kirby Birgans
Kirby Birgans
 
0.7
 
511
Image of Steven DeJoie
Steven DeJoie Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
251

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 76,688
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Eric Carlson defeatedJeff Regnier,Geno Young, andPhilanise White in the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on June 28, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Eric Carlson
Eric Carlson Candidate Connection
 
40.5
 
10,755
Image of Jeff Regnier
Jeff Regnier Candidate Connection
 
39.0
 
10,375
Geno Young Candidate Connection
 
14.5
 
3,853
Image of Philanise White
Philanise White
 
6.0
 
1,598

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 26,581
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

2020

See also: Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020

Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Democratic primary)

Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

IncumbentBobby Rush defeatedPhilanise White andRuth Pellegrini in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bobby Rush
Bobby Rush (D)
 
73.8
 
239,943
Image of Philanise White
Philanise White (R)
 
26.2
 
85,027
Image of Ruth Pellegrini
Ruth Pellegrini (Independent) (Write-in) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
153

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 325,123
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

IncumbentBobby Rush defeatedSarah Gad,Robert Emmons Jr., andAmeena Nuur Matthews in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on March 17, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Bobby Rush
Bobby Rush
 
71.5
 
94,863
Image of Sarah Gad
Sarah Gad
 
10.4
 
13,783
Image of Robert Emmons Jr.
Robert Emmons Jr. Candidate Connection
 
10.3
 
13,628
Ameena Nuur Matthews
 
7.8
 
10,409

Ballotpedia Logo

Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 132,683
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Philanise White advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on March 17, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Philanise White
Philanise White
 
100.0
 
10,134

Ballotpedia Logo

There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 10,134
Candidate Connection = candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you,complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data?Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Robert Palmer has not yet completedBallotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.If you are Robert Palmer,click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Who fills out Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey?

Any candidate running for elected office, at any level, can complete Ballotpedia's Candidate Survey. Completing the survey will update the candidate's Ballotpedia profile, letting voters know who they are and what they stand for.  More than 23,000 candidates have taken Ballotpedia's candidate survey since we launched it in 2015. Learn more about the surveyhere.

Help improve Ballotpedia -send us candidate contact info.


2023

Candidate Connection

Robert Palmer completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Palmer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all |Collapse all

I am a Chicago Public School Teacher, I have taught physical education, health, and just became a Special Education Teacher on the high school level. I hold several endorsements such as Elementary Education, LBS1 Special Education and a Physical Education approval. I hold a Masters of Arts in Teaching Degree in Elementary Education from National Louis University (2021), a BPS Degree in Psychology from Roosevelt University, (2011) a Graduate Credential in Commercial Real Estate from Roosevelt University (2013) and an Associates Degree in General Studies from Kennedy King College (2010). I am a member of the Chicago Teachers Union, SAG/AFTRA, the National, Illinois, and Chicago Associations of Realtors. I am a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. I have been a Baseball, Football and Special Olympics Coach. I am a Member of the Local School Council as a Teacher Rep. I am a Managing Real Estate Broker, I produced a SAG/AFTRA short film. I filed a successful lawsuit to reverse some red light/speed zone tickets. I am an advocate for fair and affordable housing, I support Reparations for African -Americans. I support mentorship, economical and educational opportunities for youth and adults. Safe streets and public transportation is a must. I am an advocate for investing in Mental Health centers for the community and an advocate for home ownership.
  • Business Mentorship, Educational and Economic opportunities for youth and adults, to help eliminates crime and poverty
  • Fair and affordable housing and a path to home ownership for residents
  • Safe streets and public transportation. Bring healthy grocery stores and eliminate food deserts.
Community based policing where officers should relate to community and get to know the citizens and community that they patrol.
Malcolm X and Martin Luther King for their commitment to service and putting their lives on the line for what they believed in.
I did my best and got things accomplished.
The Autobiography of Malcolm X because of his candor and overcoming challenges.
Don't hesitate or be afraid to contact the Alderman's office if you y
need services or information.
What Church do you go to. Churches chicken

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2022

Robert Palmer did not completeBallotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Candidate Connection

Robert Palmer completedBallotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Palmer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all |Collapse all

I am a neighborhood activist, a 12 year employee of Chicago Public Schools, currently in the diverse learners department as well as a Special Olympics Coach and Asst. Baseball Coach! I hold a BPS in Psychology from Roosevelt University and matriculating a Masters in Elementary Education expected June, 2020 from National Louis University. I am an Illinois Managing Real Estate Broker, a recent film producer, Member of SAG/AFTRA, as well as the Father of two Children. I grew up in Englewood, and want to see the community flourish and improve to its potential!
  • Opportunities for community citizens.
  • Taking charge in our community and making it safe, and willing to put my life on the line on the front line!
  • Increasing African-American Political Empowerment
I want to see an open and fair Government, Fairness in business and employment opportunities, More officers of color policing our own neighborhoods and developing a more friendly relationship with the citizens. Safety in the community and improved community involvement.
Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and My Father, they all were family men and Malcolm and Martin were willing to put their lives on the line for the betterment of our community!
The Miseducation of the Negro, by Carter G. Woodson, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.
Honesty, Courageousness, Compassion and be Innovative.
Listening to their constituents. Be a Fiduciary for the community.
No, politics are of the people for the people and experienced or professional politicians are sometimes coopted and no longer serve the needs of the people or their constituents.
Entrenched and systemic racism is still a major problem in America, as well as a lack of opportunities, and lack of quality education and fair housing for people of color!

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.


Campaign finance summary

Ballotpedia LogoNote: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Robert Palmer campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2026*U.S. Senate IllinoisCandidacy Declared primary$0 N/A**
2022U.S. House Illinois District 1Lost primary$0 N/A**
Grand total$0 N/A**
Sources:OpenSecrets, Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

See also


External links

Candidate

U.S. Senate Illinois

  • Website
  • Facebook

    • Footnotes

    1. ↑Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 5, 2019
    2. ↑Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on December 12, 2022


    Senators
    Representatives
    District 1
    District 2
    District 3
    District 4
    District 5
    District 6
    District 7
    District 8
    District 9
    District 10
    District 11
    District 12
    District 13
    District 14
    District 15
    District 16
    District 17
    Democratic Party (16)
    Republican Party (3)


    Flag of Illinois
    v • e
    State ofIllinois
    Springfield (capital)
    Elections

    What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2025 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures

    Government

    Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy