Miguel Valente, a 25-year-old budget analyst in the Illinois Governor’s Office of Management and Budget is running in the March 17 Democratic primary for the Sangamon County Board’s 18th District, pitching himself as a fiscally minded candidate focused on affordability, transparency and government efficiency.
Despite Valente being on Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s staff, his opponent in the primary, incumbent Sam Cahnman, contends that Valente is really a Republican posing as a Democrat.
“This guy voted Republican in the primary election in 2022. And with all the terrible things Trump has done, I think it’s a shame. … I’ve never voted Republican. I never will. I think we need a Democratic candidate who’s 100% Democrat,” Cahnman said.
But Valente told Illinois Times, “ I’m obviously not a Republican. This was just a one-time occurrence, but ever since then I have voted blue. … I don’t condone MAGA. I don’t condone Donald Trump. I don’t condone far-right extremism.”
Later in a news release he characterized his vote in the GOP primary as an “isolated and erroneous act.”
He noted that in 2023, Cahnman accepted a $500 campaign contribution from Republican County Board Chair Andy Van Meter.
Cahnman acknowledged receiving a contribution from Van Meter when he ran unsuccessfully for the nonpartisan Springfield City Council.
“Accepting a campaign contribution from a Republican doesn’t make you a Republican,” Cahnman said.
Valente, who lives on Springfield’s north side, said his decision to run grew out of both his professional background in public finance and his desire to represent the district that has high poverty rates and aging housing stock.
“I think we can make improvements on the County Board, especially when it comes to transparency and fiscal responsibility,” Valente said. “My goal is to be proactive, approachable and ethical, and to make sure residents feel they’re being heard.”
Valente was born and raised on the south side of Chicago to immigrant parents from Guerrero, Mexico. At 17, he enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard where he served seven years as a water treatment specialist.
After graduating from high school in 2018, Valente attended University of Illinois Springfield, earning a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2022 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2024. Attending UIS is what initially brought him to Springfield.
“Affordability was a big draw,” he said. “Compared to Chicago, rent here is much more manageable, and it’s still close enough to home.”
Valente began working for the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget in September 2024. Before that, he worked for about a year and a half with the city of Springfield, starting as an intern while at UIS and later becoming a financial planning analyst. He said those roles shaped his interest in budgeting, long-term financial planning and internal controls.
Valente supports making Sangamon County a home-rule county, a change that would require voter approval. Home-rule status would allow the county to pass certain ordinances without seeking approval from the General Assembly.
“One advantage is being able to act more quickly when there’s a pressing issue,” he said of his home-rule proposal. “Instead of waiting months for the legislature to meet, the county could address problems at the local level.”
But Cahnman countered it would make it easier for the Republican-controlled county board to raise taxes.
Valente said he is not trying to raise taxes.
He also is proposing the creation of a county budget office to improve long-term financial projections, cost controls and policy compliance. In addition, he wants to establish two advisory commissions: one focused on economic development and another on homelessness.
“For economic development, I want residents and business owners at the table, helping propose recommendations that benefit the whole county,” he said. “On homelessness, we need to bring in experts, community members and representatives from the county, city and nearby municipalities to work together on real solutions.”
District 18 includes parts of north Springfield.
“Affordability is the biggest issue,” he said. “Building trust in the community is just as important.”
Valente said he does not want to run a negative campaign.
“I’d rather focus on what I’m offering,” he said. “If people want to look into my opponent’s record, they can do that themselves. My goal is to be respectful and forward-looking.”
Cahnman, 71, is a well-known name in local politics, having first been elected to the Sangamon County Board in 2002 and later serving on the Springfield City Council as the Ward 5 alderman from 2007-2015 before being defeated by Republican Andrew Proctor. Cahnman returned to the County Board in 2022.
Cahnman, an attorney in private practice, was censured by the Illinois Supreme Court in 2014 for misleading a judge. Two years later, his law license was suspended for 90 days for a conflict of interest case that occurred with one of his law clients while Cahnman was serving on the City Council.
Cahnman has also made headlines over the years for various accusations of inappropriate interactions with women, although the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission declined to discipline him in those cases and he was acquitted of criminal charges.
Valente said he is campaigning largely through door-to-door canvassing, social media and community events, fitting campaign activities around his work schedule. He has already hosted two informal public meet-and-greet events and attends community gatherings whenever possible.
“I put myself on the ballot,” he said. “I collected my own signatures. This is something I chose to do because I care about this community.”
If elected, Valente expects to serve in the minority as a Democrat on the Republican-controlled County Board. He said collaboration and clear communication would be essential.
“You have to be honest, direct and bring people into the conversation,” he said. “If you explain why something benefits everyone and keep the process fair, you can build respect across party lines.”
Valente is single and lives alone. He describes himself as the youngest candidate in the race and the only Latino candidate seeking the seat.
“I’m 25, I’m Hispanic, and I bring a different perspective,” he said. “But more than anything, I want to make county government work better for the people who live here.”
Scott Reeder, an Illinois Times staff writer, can be reached at sreeder@illinoistimes.com.
This article appears in February 5-11, 2026.
