Former Antitrust Enforcer Reed Showalter Joins Crowded Race for Illinois's 7th Congressional District

Chicago, IL – Reed Showalter, a former antitrust enforcer with experience across the Justice Department, Federal Trade Commission, and the White House National Economic Council, has officially announced his candidacy for Illinois’s 7th Congressional District. Showalter's campaign centers on combating corporate greed and addressing affordability issues for working families. The announcement comes as the long-held seat opens following the retirement of veteran Representative Danny Davis.

Showalter declared his intention to "take back our city—and our country—from bullies inside and outside the government," stating, "I'm running for Congress to take on corporate greed and stand up for working people in IL-07 and across the country." He emphasized a commitment to fighting "concentrated power" to achieve victory. His platform highlights the need to tackle soaring costs in housing, food, and healthcare by holding monopolies accountable.

The 7th Congressional District, a heavily Democratic stronghold with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+34, encompasses a diverse area including downtown Chicago, parts of the South and West Sides, and western suburbs like Oak Park. Showalter is one of 16 candidates vying for the open seat, which has attracted a crowded field of contenders. His background includes working with former Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust Jonathan Kanter and serving on the staff of the House Antitrust Subcommittee during its digital markets investigation.

Showalter's entry into the race brings a specific focus on anti-monopoly policies and economic populism, drawing on his extensive legal and policy background in competition law. He aims to leverage this expertise to address systemic economic issues, contrasting with what he perceives as a failure by some Democrats to adequately confront corporate power. His campaign will test the appeal of a candidate with deep regulatory experience in a competitive primary.