- See Michael Bost's sponsored bills →Michael BostRepublicanIncumbent$1.6M raised
- Julie FortierDemocratic✓ Verified$159K raised
Where they stand
Sources under every entry. Sentences are AI-written from the linked source.
Where they differ: Michael Bost supports protecting the agricultural economy and increasing rural broadband access to promote economic growth in Southern Illinois, and he votes yea on bills supporting technology use in regulation and small business technology 12. He supports repealing Obamacare and replacing it with fiscally responsible, patient-centric reforms, voting yea on acts reauthorizing rural care and Medicaid protections 56. Julie Fortier supports good union jobs and workforce training to create opportunities for working families and supports raising the federal minimum wage beyond $15 34. She supports expanding affordable healthcare, protecting pre-existing conditions, and reinstating the ACA and its subsidies as a step toward universal care 78.
AI-written comparison of the sourced entries below. Generated Oct 17, 2026.
| Issue | Michael BostRepublican | Julie FortierDemocratic |
|---|---|---|
| Economy & Jobs | Bost supports protecting and sustaining the agricultural economy, increasing rural broadband access, and reducing regulatory burdens to promote economic growth in Southern Illinois. Bost votes yea on bills supporting technology use in regulation, capital access, privacy in purchases, TRIA reauthorization, children's programs, and small business technology. | Fortier supports good union jobs, workforce training, and investing in Southern Illinois industries and infrastructure to create real opportunities for working families. Fortier supports raising the federal minimum wage beyond Illinois's current $15 rate. |
| Where they differ on Economy & Jobs: Michael Bost supports protecting and sustaining the agricultural economy, increasing rural broadband access, and reducing regulatory burdens to promote economic growth in Southern Illinois 1. He votes yea on bills supporting technology use in regulation, capital access, privacy in purchases, TRIA reauthorization, children's programs, and small business technology 2. Julie Fortier supports good union jobs, workforce training, and investing in Southern Illinois industries and infrastructure to create real opportunities for working families 3. She also supports raising the federal minimum wage beyond Illinois's current $15 rate 4. | ||
| Healthcare | Bost supports repealing Obamacare and replacing it with fiscally responsible, patient-centric reforms to reduce costs and improve access to care. Bost votes yea on acts reauthorizing EARLY Act, rural care, Medicaid protections, lowering premiums, and supporting patients and communities. | Fortier supports expanding affordable, accessible healthcare in Southern Illinois, including protecting pre-existing conditions and moving toward universal care. Fortier supports reinstating the ACA and its subsidies as a near-term step toward expanding healthcare coverage, short of full Medicare for All. |
| Where they differ on Healthcare: Michael Bost supports repealing Obamacare and replacing it with fiscally responsible, patient-centric reforms to reduce costs and improve access to care 1. He votes yea on acts reauthorizing the EARLY Act, rural care, Medicaid protections, lowering premiums, and supporting patients and communities 2. Julie Fortier supports expanding affordable, accessible healthcare in Southern Illinois, including protecting pre-existing conditions and moving toward universal care 3. She supports reinstating the ACA and its subsidies as a near-term step toward expanding healthcare coverage, short of full Medicare for All 4. | ||
| Immigration | Bost votes yea on Secure America Act, DHS support, BOWOW Act, deporting fraudsters, and stopping illegal entry, but nay on national emergency resolution. | No public position found. Check their site ↗ |
| Public Safety & Crime | Bost votes yea on GUARD Act, prison staff safety, privacy in purchases, veterans' 2nd amendment protection, cashless bail reporting, and keeping violent offenders off streets. | Fortier supports responsible gun ownership with common-sense measures to keep firearms from dangerous individuals while respecting law-abiding citizens' rights. Fortier supports Second Amendment gun rights alongside some regulation, comparing it to regulating cars. |
| Where they differ on Public Safety & Crime: Michael Bost votes yea on the GUARD Act, prison staff safety, privacy in purchases, veterans' 2nd amendment protection, cashless bail reporting, and keeping violent offenders off streets 1. Julie Fortier supports responsible gun ownership with common-sense measures to keep firearms from dangerous individuals while respecting law-abiding citizens' rights 2. She also supports Second Amendment gun rights alongside some regulation, comparing it to regulating cars 3. | ||
| Abortion | No public position found. Check their site ↗ | Fortier will defend reproductive rights and oppose federal attempts to restrict personal healthcare decisions, supporting codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law. Fortier says healthcare decisions, including abortion, should be between a doctor and patient, not politicians. |
| Taxes & Government Spending | Bost votes yea on tax relief for fraud victims, AGOA extension, budget resolutions, continuing appropriations, and agriculture and national security appropriations. | Fortier supports investing in public schools and infrastructure to strengthen Southern Illinois' economy and future. |
| Where they differ on Taxes & Government Spending: Michael Bost voted yea on tax relief for fraud victims, AGOA extension, budget resolutions, continuing appropriations, and agriculture and national security appropriations 1. Julie Fortier supports investing in public schools and infrastructure to strengthen Southern Illinois' economy and future 2. | ||
| Energy & Environment | Bost supports an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes oil, natural gas, and coal, emphasizing the use of domestic resources to lower energy prices and create jobs. Bost votes yea on disapproving EPA rule, diesel emissions reduction, marine conservation, battlefield protection, consumer fuel choice, and HEATS Act. | Fortier acknowledges climate change is real and supports responsible solutions that protect the environment while respecting energy workers and local economies. |
| Where they differ on Energy & Environment: Michael Bost supports an all-of-the-above energy policy that includes oil, natural gas, and coal, emphasizing the use of domestic resources to lower energy prices and create jobs 1. He voted yea on disapproving an EPA rule, diesel emissions reduction, marine conservation, battlefield protection, consumer fuel choice, and the HEATS Act 2. Julie Fortier acknowledges climate change is real and supports responsible solutions that protect the environment while respecting energy workers and local economies 3. | ||
| Foreign Policy & Defense | Bost votes nay on removing US forces from Iran and Lebanon, yea on defense authorization and veterans clinic naming, and yea on FISA amendments extension. | Fortier opposes forever wars that disrupt markets and spike costs, supporting policies that protect farmers and the local economy. |
| Where they differ on Foreign Policy & Defense: Michael Bost voted against removing US forces from Iran and Lebanon, voted in favor of the defense authorization and naming a veterans clinic, and supported extending FISA amendments 1. Julie Fortier opposes forever wars that disrupt markets and increase costs, advocating for policies that protect farmers and the local economy 2. | ||