Endorsements
Marc Bell
Sangamon County Sheriff
Integrity is the cornerstone of effective leadership. Throughout his career, as a Master Sergeant with the Illinois State Police, as a School Safety Officer, and now as Springfield’s Police Community Review Commissioner, Marc has consistently led with transparency and honesty. He understands that the people of Sangamon County deserve a sheriff who tells the truth, acts ethically, and never forgets that the badge is a symbol of responsibility, not privilege.
Marc Bell’s career has been defined by honor, honor in service, honor in leadership, and honor in every decision made to protect the people of Sangamon County. With over thirty years in law enforcement and public safety, Marc has never wavered in his commitment to serve with dignity. He believes a sheriff’s role is not just about enforcing the law, but about earning the respect and trust of the community through accountability, fairness, and compassion.
For Marc Bell, service is more than a duty, it’s a lifelong calling. From protecting children in schools to overseeing state regulatory agencies, he has always placed the needs of the public first. As sheriff, Marc will continue this commitment by focusing on community partnerships, public safety, and programs that prioritize prevention and support over punishment. Service means being present, listening to citizens, and delivering solutions that make lives better.
Dylan Blaha
US Congress, IL - District 13
Dylan is not a politician. He graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology. After several years studying cancer immunotherapies as a research technician and graduate student at UIUC, he graduated with a Master of Science in Biochemistry.
Dylan enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard as a combat medic in 2012 and commissioned as an Army Officer in 2016, through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at UIUC. He served on active duty for over five years, including a deployment to Afghanistan from 2019-2020 as a Battalion Medical Operations Officer for the 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry Regiment.
Dylan also served on the Illinois National Guard Joint Staff as the lead medical planner to support COVID-19 pandemic response operations. He then served a three-year tour at US Army Europe and Africa in Germany to support both Ukraine and NATO, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
For his service, Dylan has received a Bronze Star Medal, a Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, a Joint Service Achievement Medal, two Army Achievement Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Armed Forces Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device.
Dylan also received the 2023 Captain John R. Teal Leadership Award for his contributions to US Army medicine and the entire US Army.
Randy Raley
US Congress, IL - District 15
A native of Moline, Illinois, Randy Raley spent 45 years as a radio personality in Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri getting to know people, learning to listen, and delivering practical information. Now he’s ready to put those skills into action and work for us!
“I moved to Highland in 2022 and really enjoy living in a small town again. I had an issue I needed Mary Miller’s help with, and I couldn’t reach her. I found out this was par for the course. I am on Social Security and Medicare, so I’ve been a little uncertain about the future lately. I kept waiting for someone to do something, but nobody came and that was when I decided to challenge the status quo, put my money where my mouth is, and call out Mary for being derelict of duty. MIA.
This district deserves better. This district deserves someone who hears but even more importantly, listens to the concerns of everyone in the 15th. This is not a Democratic or Republican issue, this is a representation issue. Whether you’re a farmer, union member, teacher, first responder, nurse, factory worker, or however you make your living, I want to be your voice in Congress. You deserve it. There is hope.”
** At this time, Downstate Forward is only accepting contributions for local and state candidates. While we’re proud to endorse federal candidates, our support will be in grassroots organizing and social media. Donations to federal candidates should be make directly to their websites.**