Miguel Valente

Sangamon County Board - District 18

Miguel M. Valente is a veteran, the son of immigrants from Guerrero, Mexico, and the Democratic nominee for the Sangamon County Board in District 18. A Chicago native and resident of Sangamon County since 2022. Miguel currently serves as a Budget Analyst I at the Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget. He previously worked as a Financial Planning Analyst for the City of Springfield, Office of Budget & Management.

In December 2025, Miguel was named Executive Director of Illinois Veterans for Change, a statewide PAC dedicated to expanding veteran representation for elected office in Illinois. More information can be found at https://www.ilveteransforchange.org/.

In March 2026, Miguel won a competitive primary to become the Democratic nominee for District 18 and was elected as the Democratic Precinct Committeeperson for Capital 13. He achieved these milestones at age 25 as a first-time candidate managing his own campaign.

Additionally, he is the first in his family to graduate from a university and serve in the military. Miguel served as a Water Treatment Specialist in the Illinois Army National Guard from 2017 to 2024, he has been activated for a Federal Deployment and State Mission. 

Miguel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science (2022) and a Master's in Public Administration (2024) from the University of Illinois Springfield.