Eric Sorensen
U.S. House · IL-17 · Democrats · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · IL-17
Biography
Overview
Eric Sorensen is a Democrat representing Illinois's 17th congressional district since 2023. A former meteorologist and television broadcaster, Sorensen is the first openly gay member of Congress from Illinois. His district covers western and central Illinois, including Moline, Rock Island, Peoria, and Rockford.
Career
In his first year, Sorensen introduced the Stop Games Act to lower drug costs and secured $4.6 million for Central Illinois infrastructure projects. In 2024, he secured $123 million for western Illinois infrastructure including water, roads, and river navigation. He has co-sponsored bipartisan bills on flood mitigation and manufacturing investment.
Prior political experience
Sorensen was first elected in 2022, defeating Republican Esther Joy King in the general election for Illinois's 17th congressional district. In 2024, he was re-elected with 54.4% of the vote against Republican Joseph McGraw. Upon taking office in 2023, he became only the second Democrat since 1927 to represent a significant portion of Peoria and the second since the 1850s to represent a significant portion of Rockford.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Eric Sorensen
No active campaigns target Eric Sorensen right now.
Start a campaign targeting Eric SorensenOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd | U.S. House IL-17 | 2025–present | In progress | Eric Sorensen | — |
| 1st | U.S. House IL-17 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | — | Eric Sorensen |
Committee assignments
- Conservation, Research, and BiotechnologyHouse· 2025–present
- Tactical Air and Land ForcesHouse· 2025–present
- General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and CreditHouse· 2025–present
- ReadinessHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term9
- H.R. 8457
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to provide grants and direct or guaranteed loans to increase domestic fertilizer production for United States farmers.
Apr 22, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7848
National Weather Safety Board Act
Mar 5, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6478
Air Guard STATUS Act of 2025
Dec 4, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4865
Advancing Research on Agricultural Soil Health Act of 2025
Aug 1, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4733
Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program Establishment Act
Jul 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 3309
Autonomy for All Disabled Veterans Act
May 8, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 2466
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5225 Harrison Avenue in Rockford, Illinois, as the "Jay P. Larson Post Office Building".
Mar 27, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 1955
Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act
Mar 6, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 1027
QUIET Act
Feb 5, 2025INTRODUCED
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8453
Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act
Apr 22, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8403
To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to modify the definition of food.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8175
To amend title 10, United States Code, and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994, to codify and clarify gender neutral standards for members of certain Armed Forces, and for other purposes.
Apr 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8104
Fertilizer Transparency Act of 2026
Mar 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7973
Momnibus Act
Mar 18, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7977
To provide relief from high energy bills, and for other purposes.
Mar 18, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7852
No Getting Rich in Congress Act
Mar 5, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7813
NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act
Mar 5, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 7802
DISCLOSE Act of 2026
Mar 4, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7498
After Hours Child Care Act
Feb 11, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House IL-17 | Pending | 54.43% |
|