Justin Cochran, a Des Plaines Democrat who holds the Illinois House District 55 seat, is running for a full term in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

He faces Republican Joseph Johnson.

Democratic committee members appointed Cochran to the seat on Dec. 30, 2025, to replace Martin J. Moylan, according to Ballotpedia. Cochran has served as the District 55 state representative since his appointment. The Illinois House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the state legislature, responsible for passing state laws and approving the state budget.

Candidate information

  • Party: Democratic
  • Office sought: Illinois House of Representatives, District 55
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Ballot status: Certified for the ballot
  • Residence: Des Plaines, Illinois (since 1997, according to Cochran's campaign website)
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in history, Northeastern Illinois University (2012); master's degree in political science and government, Northeastern Illinois University (2017)
  • High school: Maine West High School, according to his campaign website

Experience and public service

Before his appointment, Cochran served as chief of staff for State Rep. Moylan, a role he held starting in 2019. He also worked as an organizer and treasurer for Moylan's campaign committees beginning in 2018.

Cochran has worked as an archivist at the Illinois State Archives, according to his campaign website.

In his community, Cochran has held leadership positions at Saint Martin's Episcopal Church in Des Plaines, according to his campaign website. He served on the vestry and as a warden, helping guide the church's governance and community outreach, Cochran said on his website.

Endorsements

According to BallotReady, Cochran has received endorsements from:

  • AFL-CIO
  • Citizen Action Illinois
  • Illinois Sierra Club
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 134
  • International Union of Operating Engineers Local 399
  • IUOE Local 150
  • Personal PAC

On the issues

Cochran's responses to policy questions were not available for this profile. Voters seeking his positions on specific issues can visit his campaign website.

Candidate profiles are based on publicly available information, official records and candidate-provided responses. The Park Ridge Wire does not endorse candidates.