Bio
Melissa Bean is a former U.S. Representative for Illinois' 8th Congressional District, serving from 2005 to 2011, when she was defeated in the Tea Party wave election. During her tenure she was known as a moderate Democrat, serving on the House Financial Services Committee. She has worked in the financial services and technology industries since leaving Congress. She re-entered politics to seek the open seat created by Raja Krishnamoorthi's Senate run and has emerged as a frontrunner with significant fundraising support.
Prior office: U.S. Representative (IL-08, 2005–2011)