Article
Army veteran, former Pentagon employee joins crowded race for Schakowsky’s seat
August 22nd, 2025
Yet another candidate announced his plan to run in the Democratic primary for the state’s 9th Congressional District seat, which now has nearly two dozen people competing for the role that’s been held since 1999 by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston resident.
Sam Polan, an Army special operations veteran and former senior policy advisor at the Pentagon, filed paperwork on Thursday in tandem with an announcement on his campaign’s social media page for the primary slated for March 17, 2026.
Polan joins a growing list of people vying for the seat to succeed the longtime Rep. Schakowsky, who announced her retirement in May.
He holds a masters degree in international relations from American University and a bachelors of science in political science from Washington College.
Polan, a native of Wilmette, lists defending the constitution and rule of law, restoring and defending civil liberties and building an equitable path to the American Dream, as key pillars on his website.
In an announcement video posted to his X (formerly known as Twitter) page, @Polan4Congress, he voiced his concerns toward the current administration under President Donald Trump.
“I can tell you firsthand what’s going on in Washington right now is reckless, it’s dangerous and honestly it’s insulting,” Polan said in the video announcing his candidacy. “Donald Trump and his allies are actively seeking to undermine every institution I sought to defend.”
In the same video, he specifically criticized Pete Hegseth, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, for his administrative decisions at the Pentagon.
“Worse, while I was still working at the Pentagon, Pete Hegseth has started treating that place like an internship program,” Polan said. “He put whoever he wanted where he wanted based on loyalty alone. I kept waiting for Congress to do something, to push back even a little bit to show even a little bit of spine, but [they] never did. So instead of complaining about it, trying to do something about it … I’m home now, wanting to represent you all, the people I grew up with. “
His announcement comes after the start of the petition circuit period, which began on Aug. 5, a 90-day window when candidates can collect signatures to qualify for the primary ballot. Based on party registration in the district, Democratic candidates need at least 1,173 signatures to qualify, while Republicans need 540.
The race for the seat has garnered a wide range of potential candidates, both familiar to Evanston and newcomers in politics, including Mayor Daniel Biss, State Sen. Laura Fine and content creator Kat Abughazaleh.
“It’s time for a new generation of leadership with lived experience and the clarity to move our country forward,” Polan said on his website. “I’m someone who will run toward the fire, not away — I’ll build coalitions and push back on the Trump Administration and its reckless policies.”
The 9th District starts on the Chicago’s North Side and runs north to Evanston before stretching north and west to Fox River Grove and Crystal Lake in McHenry County.