Niki Conforti
Conforti told Arab News in January 2026: "I think we've given a lot of money to fund foreign wars. We need to turn that money internally." On Ukraine and the Middle East: "we need to work toward peace and stop the killing." She names no recipient country.
Conforti is the Republican candidate for Illinois's 6th District, running against Rep. Sean Casten.
Her position is about foreign war spending generally rather than about this conflict. Describing her views as "America First," she told Arab News in January 2026: "I think we've given a lot of money to fund foreign wars. We need to turn that money internally to address mental health issues, to help the homeless, to help veterans, to lower crime. We have so many issues here at home where that money can be better spent." On the wars themselves: "In Ukraine and the Middle East, we need to work toward peace and stop the killing. These are turning into perpetual wars and we need to really get respect in the regions, have accountability on both sides, and reach an agreement that everyone can adhere to and keep."
That is a blanket position, and it is given here as blanket: she does not name Israel, Palestinians, or any specific transfer. She has cast no congressional votes on these packages.
In a January 2026 video interview she described herself as a pro-peace candidate and noted that her district contains a large Arab-American and Palestinian-American population, many of whom have lost family members in the war.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2026-01-12] Arab News interview, opened and confirmed word for word: describing her views as "America First," she said "I think we've given a lot of money to fund foreign wars. We need to turn that money internally to address mental health issues, to help the homeless, to help veterans, to lower crime. We have so many issues here at home where that money can be better spent." **She names no recipient**, so this is recorded as a blanket position on foreign war spending, not as a position on aid to Israel.
- She has not served in federal office and has cast no votes on these packages.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- No statement or documented position located on U.S. humanitarian funding or the aid pipeline.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, 2026-01-12] Same interview, confirmed verbatim: "In Ukraine and the Middle East, we need to work toward peace and stop the killing. These are turning into perpetual wars and we need to really get respect in the regions, have accountability on both sides, and reach an agreement that everyone can adhere to and keep."
- [Position, 2026-01-25] In a video interview broadcast by Al Jazeera English she described herself as a "pro-peace candidate" and noted the large Arab-American and Palestinian-American population in the district, many residents having been "deeply affected by the war between Israel and Palestine" and having lost family members. Login-walled source; as found.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- The Al Jazeera clip's own title is "Americans should reject all foreign influence," which the research did not quote as her words and neither does this package.
- [Undated] A Human Dignity Project page comparing her with the incumbent; advocacy-adjacent, consulted only, never a card source (C3).
- [2026-01-15] Mondoweiss coverage; not opened, and a third party's framing rather than her position.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- Nothing located.
Also in this race: Sean Casten (Democrat) · All Illinois candidates.
See the full record →But What Can You Do? tracks where 2026 candidates stand on U.S. weapons and funding for the government of Israel. Every claim on this page goes through at least two verification steps. Open the interactive card for votes, funding and contact details.