February 18th, 2026
End Citizens United Endorses Junaid Ahmed for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District
Ahmed is rejecting corporate PAC money, committed to ending dark money, and supports banning congressional stock trading
End Citizens United (ECU), a leading national anti-corruption organization, today endorsed Junaid Ahmed for Illinois’ 8th Congressional District. Ahmed is part of Unrig Washington, a program ECU started last year for candidates who reject corporate PAC money, support a ban on congressional stock trading, and work to end dark money in politics.
“Junaid Ahmed knows the value of creating opportunity for hard-working families, which is why he’s championing an agenda that puts people first, not corporate special interests,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “From creating jobs in Illinois to his advocacy for unhoused Chicagoans, Ahmed’s dedication to the community is clear. It comes as no surprise that he refuses to take corporate PAC money because he has always shown up for his neighbors and for people whose voices go unheard. At a time when too many politicians are enriching themselves and their billionaire donors at the expense of people’s health care, safety, and economic well-being, we need fighters like Junaid Ahmed to change who government works for. We are proud to endorse Junaid Ahmed and to support his grassroots campaign.”
“I’m honored to have the endorsement of End Citizens United,” said Junaid Ahmed. “This campaign is powered by working people, and that’s exactly who I want to fight for in Congress. Our communities need more investment in affordable housing and health care, cheaper grocery bills, and access to a quality education for all. These will be my top priorities, and I refuse to cater to any corporation, billionaire, or special interest. I look forward to working with End Citizens United to combat corruption in Washington and develop policies that serve Illinoisans.”
Ahmed worked full-time while earning his MBA at the University of Chicago and later founded two technology companies, employing dozens of Illinoisans. He also helped to launch Chi-Care, a nonprofit that delivers hot meals and survival supplies to unhoused people across Chicago’s North Side, and supported efforts to empower women and families fleeing domestic violence. Ahmed is part of ECU’s Unrig Washington program, where he joins nearly 140 Democratic candidates––and counting––in rejecting corporate PAC money, supporting a ban on congressional stock trading, and cracking down on dark money in politics. Learn more about the campaign at www.endcitizensunited.org/unrig-washington.
###
For 10 Years, End Citizens United (ECU) has been dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money in politics and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, ECU has had over 1.4 million donors with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than four million members nationwide and is one of the nation’s leading anti-corruption organizations.