Bishop Wins Primary… Again
Liz Bishop has once again earned a decisive victory in the 76th District Republican Primary, defeating Crystal Loughran in a rematch of the 2024 race.
While this year’s contest was notably more respectful and focused on the issues, the result was clear: voters once again placed their trust in Liz’s leadership, vision, and commitment to the district. Bishop secured a strong, convincing win, demonstrating continued momentum and broad support across the 76th.
Following the election, Crystal Loughran was gracious in defeat and has pledged her full support behind Liz Bishop heading into the November General Election—an important step in uniting Republicans and focusing on what lies ahead.
With the primary now behind us, Liz is turning her full attention to the general election. The stakes are high, and the choice for voters will be clear: a future focused on affordability, economic growth, and strong representation for our communities.
The campaign is energized, united, and ready for the fight ahead.
A Rematch That Matters: The Top Pickup Opportunity in Illinois
After one of the closest races in the entire state in 2024, Liz Bishop is once again facing off against incumbent Democrat Amy Murri Briel in what has become the top Republican pickup opportunity in Illinois.
The last election was a true nail-biter. Liz turned a 15-point Democrat win in 2022 into just a 1 pt miss of flipping the 76th District in 2024—outperforming expectations and proving that voters across the district are ready for new leadership focused on the issues that matter most.
Since then, nothing has changed about the core concerns driving this race. Families are still feeling the pressure of rising costs, local communities are still fighting for their fair share of resources, and voters are still looking for a representative who will put the district first.
What has changed is momentum.
Liz Bishop enters this rematch stronger, more prepared, and with a unified base of support behind her. Republicans across the district are aligned, energized, and focused on finishing what they started.
Statewide, political observers recognize this race for what it is: the best chance to flip a Democrat-held seat and bring balanced, common-sense leadership back to Springfield.
This November, the 76th District won’t just be another race on the ballot—it will be one of the most closely watched contests in Illinois.
Built to Win: A Field Program Like No Other
Winning campaigns aren’t built overnight—they’re built door by door, conversation by conversation.
That’s exactly how Liz Bishop is approaching 2026.
After knocking over 17,000 doors in the last cycle, Liz and her team are taking things to the next level with an expanded, earlier, and more disciplined field operation designed to reach voters across every corner of the 76th District. This isn’t just a campaign—it’s a ground game built to win.
From DeKalb and the NIU campus to the Illinois Valley, Liz’s team is focused on real conversations with voters about the issues that matter most: affordability, opportunity, and strong local representation.
But a program like this doesn’t run on its own—it runs on people.
That’s why we’re actively recruiting motivated, energetic individuals—especially college and high school students—who want to be part of a winning team and gain real-world political experience. Paid internship opportunities are available for students ages 16-24 who are ready to work hard, learn fast, and make an impact; adult volunteers are needed as well.
If you’re interested in joining Liz Bishop’s 2026 field team, we’d love to hear from you.
Email: liz@electlizbishop.com
Be part of something bigger. Be part of a campaign that’s built to win.
Strong Support, Strong Momentum
Liz Bishop closed out the year on a high note with a highly successful holiday fundraiser on December 11th, hosted at her home—the historic Becker House in LaSalle.
The event brought together supporters from across the district and beyond, generating tremendous energy and enthusiasm for the campaign. By the end of the evening, nearly $30,000 had been raised in support of Liz’s effort to flip the 76th District.
That strong showing didn’t just make for a great night—it placed Liz at the top of fourth-quarter fundraising totals among Republican challenger candidates for Illinois House seats.
More importantly, it reflects something bigger: growing momentum and a broad base of support behind Liz’s campaign.
As we move closer to November, that momentum will be critical. Competitive races are won with strong grassroots support, and this event made one thing clear—people across the district are ready to rally behind Liz Bishop and bring new leadership to Springfield.
Briel’s “Campfire Tax” Becomes a National Embarrassment
It’s not often that a piece of legislation from our area gets national attention—but when it does, it should be for the right reasons.
Unfortunately, Representative Amy Murri Briel’s proposed “open burn permit” bill—what many have called a “campfire tax”—has done just the opposite.
The proposal would require residents to obtain a government permit for something as simple as a backyard bonfire, burning yard waste, or a small fire at a campsite. Even more concerning, the bill includes six-figure penalties for noncompliance—turning everyday activities into potential government violations.
The backlash was swift and widespread. Across Illinois and beyond, the idea was met with confusion, frustration, and disbelief.
But what’s even more concerning is what came next.
In a recent WLPO radio interview, Representative Briel acknowledged the criticism—but made it clear she still intends to bring the proposal back and push for its passage in 2027 if re-elected.
At a time when families are already dealing with rising costs, the last thing people want is more permits, more fees, and more government involvement in their daily lives.
This moment highlights a larger issue in this race: priorities.
While residents of the 76th District are focused on affordability, economic growth, and strengthening local communities, this type of proposal reflects a very different approach—one that adds more regulation and more cost, not less.
Voters will have a clear choice this November.
Affordability Is the Top Kitchen Table Issue
Across the 76th District, the message from voters is clear: life is getting too expensive.
Families are dealing with higher energy bills, higher grocery costs, and a cost of living that continues to climb. These aren’t political talking points—they’re real concerns that come up at kitchen tables across our communities every single day.
And increasingly, voters are connecting those rising costs to decisions being made in Springfield.
In just a short time, Representative Amy Murri Briel’s record has included:
· Supporting legislation expected to increase energy costs
· Voting for billions in new state spending
· Backing measures that include hundreds of millions in new or shifted tax revenue
· Supporting a full 5% raise for herself and other legislators, which is the maximum allowed under law
· And failing to cast a vote on a major transit package that redirected $500 million earmarked for our local roads and bridges to bail out Chicago’s failing transit system, raising serious concerns about her commitment to protecting the interests of her own district.
Taken individually, each of these decisions matters.
Taken together, they paint a clear picture.
At a time when families are asking for relief, Rep. Briel continues to move in the opposite direction—toward more spending, more pressure on taxpayers, and policies that risk making everyday life even more expensive.
That’s why affordability isn’t just one issue among many in this race—it’s the issue.
And it’s why voters across the 76th District are looking for leadership that understands what it means to live within a budget, prioritize local communities, and fight to keep costs down—not drive them up.
Primary Turnout Drops—A Wake-Up Call for November
Last month’s primary election delivered clear results—but it also revealed a concerning trend: Republican voter turnout across Illinois was among the lowest in recent years.
While primaries typically see lower participation, this drop raises important questions as we head toward a highly competitive general election cycle.
Turnout isn’t just a number—it’s a signal.
It reflects enthusiasm, engagement, and the willingness of voters to show up and have their voices heard. And in close races—like the 76th District—turnout can be the difference between winning and falling just short.
The reality is simple: if Republicans want to compete and win in November, especially in swing districts like ours, turnout must increase.
That means:
· Re-engaging voters who may have sat out the primary
· Reaching new voters across the district
· And making sure every supporter understands what’s at stake
The good news? There is still time.
With a unified campaign, strong grassroots efforts, and a clear message focused on affordability and local priorities, there is a real opportunity to build momentum heading into November.
But it will take effort—and it will take participation.
Because in the end, elections aren’t decided by headlines or polls.
They’re decided by who shows up.