
Mark Rice
Republican | Illinois
Candidate Profile*
Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Mark Rice
Party
Republican
Election Year
2026
Election
Republican Primary
Race
U.S. Representative, District 8
Incumbent
No
EDUCATION
University of Texas, Austin, BA, 1985
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
Trevian Youth Football, Jewish Community Center
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
US House Illinois' 8th Congressional District, 2025-
Race
Previous Races
ENDORSEMENTS*
CONSERVATIVE (2)
*Illinois Family Action
American Jewish Conservatives
OTHER (1)
Brandon Straka
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (3)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2025)
State Republican Party Organizations (2025)
Kari Lake (2024)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (5)
Darren Bailey (2024)
Don Tracy (2024)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2024)
Patriot Freedom PAC (2024)
Vince Kolber (2024)
OTHER INFORMATION
Illinois Family Institute's 2024 Voter Guide.
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Strongly Agree
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Elective abortion should not be allowed. Abortion should be limited to rare and extreme circumstances, such as when the life of the mother is at serious risk, or in cases of rape or incest.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Strongly Disagree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Strongly Agree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
People who can afford to pay more taxes should do so in order to provide relief for working families.
Disagree
The government should cut spending in order to reduce the national debt.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
End wasteful spending and inflation-driving policies that burden the middle class. Restore fiscal discipline in foreign and defense policy. Crack down on government corruption and self-dealing, including insider trading by members of Congress, special-interest giveaways, and back-room deals that waste taxpayer dollars and erode public trust. Rein in unelected federal bureaucracies by stopping “government by regulation,”
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Separation of church and state means the government should not establish or control religion, but it does not mean religion must be excluded from public life. The First Amendment protects both freedom of religion and freedom from government interference in religious belief. People of faith should never be forced to abandon their values to participate in civic life, and government should respect our nation’s moral and religious heritage while remaining neutral among denominations.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
C
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
With regard to America's foreign policy, which view most closely resembles yours: A) The United States should intervene whenever freedom is threatened. B) The United States should selectively help countries trying to grow democracy and fight tyranny. C) The United States has become too involved in others' policies and should remain focused on issues regarding our own sovereignty unless in imminent danger. D) The United States should stay out of foreign conflicts completely.
C
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Yes. The U.S.–Israel relationship is critically important for national security, regional stability, and the defense of democratic values. As a Jewish American, I also understand the historic and moral importance of Israel’s right to exist, defend itself, and thrive as a free and secure nation.
Islamic terrorism is a threat to the United States' national security.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Immigration to the United States should be legal, orderly, and merit-based. We should welcome individuals who follow the law, contribute to our economy, respect our values, and do not pose a security risk. At the same time, the border must be secured, asylum laws enforced as written, and illegal immigration discouraged through firm and consistent enforcement. Compassion and sovereignty are not mutually exclusive; we can be both a nation of laws and a nation of opportunity.
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Strongly Agree
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Strongly Agree
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Strongly Agree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am Jewish, and my values are rooted in faith, tradition, and moral responsibility. I believe in the sanctity of life, the importance of family, personal accountability, and service to community. While government should not dictate belief, faith and conscience are essential guides for ethical leadership and for strengthening families, communities, and our nation.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Nuclear power is the most reliable baseload energy source, supported by domestic natural gas for grid stability. Together they ensure affordable, dependable electricity, energy independence, and the capacity to meet growing demand.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Very Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Law-abiding citizens should not face new restrictions on gun ownership. Existing laws should be enforced, violent criminals prosecuted, and mental health addressed. Public safety is best protected by upholding the Second Amendment, not by punishing responsible gun owners.
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