John Elleson
Elleson told a February 2026 questionnaire the U.S. needs to "support Ukraine, help Israel, and play a condole in Venezuela." His survey answers back defending Israel and call it "a key ally." No position located on packages or conditions.
Elleson is the Republican candidate for Illinois's 9th District, running against Daniel Biss.
Asked in a February 2026 questionnaire about U.S. intervention in Ukraine, Israel and Venezuela, his whole answer was: "We need to support Ukraine, help Israel, and play a condole in Venezuela." The wording is his, including the apparent typo, and it is quoted as written.
In candidate surveys for both his 2018 and 2026 campaigns he marked "Strongly Agree" to the statement that the United States should help defend Israel from attack by its enemies, and he described Israel as "a key ally that shares U.S. democratic values, supports regional security, and strengthens America's influence in the Middle East." He answered substantively across those surveys, which is what makes the marks evidence.
What none of it addresses is what the United States should send: no package, no transfer, no condition, and nothing on U.S. aid to Palestinians. The research found no such statement.
Research
U.S. military aid and weapons to Israel
- [Position, 2026-02-07] Shaw Local 2026 election questionnaire, opened and confirmed word for word, read beneath its own question ("What is your position on U.S. intervention, specifically Ukraine, Israel and Venezuela?"): "We need to support Ukraine, help Israel, and play a condole in Venezuela." Quoted as written, typo included.
- [Position, published 2026-08-12, and 2018] iVoterGuide surveys for his 2026 and 2018 campaigns record "Strongly Agree" on the United States helping defend Israel from attack by its enemies, as reported. Not separately opened. **Questionnaire test:** the research turns up substantive answers across the same forms, including on Islamic terrorism, so the marks are evidence rather than a non-response artifact.
- No statement located on packages, transfers, or conditions on aid.
- He has no federal voting record.
U.S. aid to Palestinians
- No statement or documented position found by the research.
Characterization of the conflict
- [Position, published 2026-08-12] From his 2026 iVoterGuide profile, as reported: "Yes, Israel is a key ally that shares U.S. democratic values, supports regional security, and strengthens America's influence in the Middle East." Not separately opened; the card attributes it to his survey answers rather than quoting it as opened text.
- [Position, published 2026-08-12] Same survey: "Strongly Agree" that Islamic terrorism presents a national-security threat.
- The research found no statement outlining a framework for the broader conflict, such as a two-state position.
Related rhetoric and lobbying
- ⚠ The research returned a Facebook post by Jim Garlow, a different person, among this candidate's sources. Nothing from it is used.
- ⚠ It also returned a 2018 JTA news report about a Chicago kosher supervisor shot dead, which concerns a crime victim and not this candidate's positions. Nothing from it is used.
Safety and antisemitism (context)
- Nothing located beyond the Islamic-terrorism survey mark.
Consulted
Also in this race: Daniel Biss (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.