Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Birthplace	United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Template:Hlist
Title	Member of the United States House of Representatives
Known for	U.S. Representative for Illinois's 17th congressional district

Eric Sorensen (born 1976) is an American politician and former television meteorologist serving as the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 17th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Sorensen represents a sprawling central and western Illinois district that encompasses communities including Peoria, Rockford, and the Quad Cities, as well as the Rock Island Arsenal. Before entering politics, Sorensen spent more than two decades as a broadcast meteorologist in the region, a career that made him a familiar face across the district he would later represent. Since taking office, he has focused on issues including federal investment in his district's military infrastructure, government funding, and constituent services. In February 2026, Sorensen drew attention for announcing he would not attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, joining a number of fellow Democrats in boycotting the speech. As one of the few openly LGBT members of Congress, Sorensen has been a notable figure in contemporary Illinois politics.

Early Life

Eric Sorensen was born in 1976 in the United States. He grew up in the Midwest, where he developed an early interest in weather and atmospheric science. Details regarding his parents, siblings, and specific childhood experiences are not extensively documented in available public sources. His long career as a television meteorologist in central Illinois, spanning more than twenty years, suggests deep roots in the region and a longstanding connection to the communities he would later represent in Congress.

Sorensen's interest in meteorology shaped his educational and professional trajectory. Before entering politics, he built a career in broadcast journalism, working at television stations across the Illinois media market. His familiarity with severe weather events common to the region — including tornadoes, floods, and winter storms — made him a trusted public figure in the communities of central and western Illinois.

Career

Television Meteorology

Prior to his career in politics, Eric Sorensen worked for more than two decades as a television meteorologist at stations serving the Peoria and Quad Cities media markets in Illinois. His long tenure in broadcast journalism gave him significant name recognition across the region. As a meteorologist, Sorensen covered numerous severe weather events and became a familiar presence in the homes of viewers throughout central and western Illinois. His professional background in meteorology and science communication would later inform his approach to policy issues including climate, infrastructure resilience, and disaster preparedness.

Entry into Politics and Election to Congress

Sorensen transitioned from broadcast meteorology to politics when he sought the Democratic nomination for Illinois's 17th congressional district. The 17th District, as redrawn following the 2020 census, stretches across a large swath of central and western Illinois, encompassing portions of the Peoria metropolitan area, the Quad Cities region, Rockford, and numerous smaller communities. The district includes the Rock Island Arsenal, a major U.S. Army installation and a significant economic driver for the region.

Sorensen won election to Congress and took office as the representative for the 17th District. As a Democrat representing a competitive district in a politically diverse region of Illinois, Sorensen has navigated a range of constituent interests, from agricultural policy and manufacturing to military infrastructure and federal investment.

Congressional Tenure

Federal Investment and Rock Island Arsenal

A central focus of Sorensen's congressional work has been securing federal investment for his district, with particular emphasis on the Rock Island Arsenal. In February 2026, Sorensen announced that he had delivered over $200 million in federal funding to support the Rock Island Arsenal, a major military installation located on an island in the Mississippi River between Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. The Arsenal serves as a major employer in the Quad Cities region and is home to several U.S. Army commands and manufacturing operations. Sorensen's office characterized the funding as a significant achievement for the district, aimed at sustaining jobs and modernizing military infrastructure at the installation.

The Rock Island Arsenal has long been a focal point for members of Congress representing the 17th District, given its economic and strategic importance. Sorensen's efforts to secure federal funding for the Arsenal reflected a broader emphasis on maintaining and expanding the district's military and manufacturing base.

Government Shutdown and Federal Spending

In February 2026, Sorensen was among the members of Congress who weighed in on a partial government shutdown that had entered its fifth day. In an interview with WGLT, Sorensen stated that the shutdown was "the only way to force Republicans to the negotiating table," suggesting that Democrats saw the standoff as a lever for influencing the terms of government funding legislation. Sorensen expressed concern about the impact of the shutdown on federal workers and government services in his district, but indicated that he did not foresee a quick resolution to the impasse.

The shutdown highlighted the broader partisan tensions over federal spending priorities during the period, with Democrats and Republicans clashing over the scope and direction of government funding. As a representative of a district with a significant federal presence — including the Rock Island Arsenal and other government installations — Sorensen's comments reflected the direct stakes the shutdown held for his constituents.

State of the Union Boycott (2026)

On February 23, 2026, Sorensen announced that he would not attend President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, scheduled for the following day. Sorensen was among a number of Democratic members of Congress who chose to skip the address. In a statement released ahead of the speech, Sorensen outlined his reasons for the boycott, joining colleagues who cited various objections to the administration's policies and conduct.

The decision attracted media attention in Illinois, with the Peoria Journal Star and KWQC both covering Sorensen's announcement. The boycott reflected a broader pattern among some Democratic members of Congress during the Trump administration, in which lawmakers chose to abstain from attending the annual presidential address as a form of political protest.

Community Recognition and Constituent Services

In addition to legislative work, Sorensen has been active in recognizing institutions and achievements within his district. In October 2025, Sorensen presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to Western Illinois University's Geographic Information System (GIS) Center, acknowledging the center's contributions to geographic research and technology. The recognition highlighted Sorensen's engagement with educational institutions in the district and his support for technology and research programs at regional universities.

Congressional certificates of recognition are a common tool used by members of Congress to acknowledge the work of organizations, businesses, and individuals in their districts. Sorensen's recognition of WIU's GIS Center reflected his office's broader constituent services efforts.

2026 Primary and Reelection Campaign

Ahead of the March 2026 primary election, Sorensen faced a potential challenge from within the Democratic Party. Montez Soliz, a young Democrat from Rockford, announced in September 2025 that he would challenge Sorensen for the Democratic nomination in the 17th Congressional District. Soliz positioned himself as a younger alternative to the incumbent and sought to draw attention to issues he felt were not being adequately addressed by Sorensen's office.

However, in December 2025, Soliz's campaign was derailed by a petition objection. According to reporting by IPM Newsroom, an objection was filed against Soliz's nominating petitions, and Soliz subsequently posted on social media indicating that his campaign had been effectively ended by the challenge. As a result, Sorensen appeared likely to face no primary opponent in the March 2026 election.

In February 2026, WEEK/25 News Now profiled the candidates in the 17th District congressional race, providing an overview of where the candidates stood on various issues and the projects they intended to pursue if elected or reelected. The coverage reflected the competitive nature of the 17th District, which has been considered a swing district in recent election cycles.

Policy Positions

Sorensen's policy agenda in Congress has centered on several key areas relevant to his district. Federal investment in military infrastructure, particularly the Rock Island Arsenal, has been a signature priority, as demonstrated by his efforts to secure over $200 million in funding for the installation. He has also engaged with issues of government funding and spending, as evidenced by his comments during the February 2026 government shutdown.

Sorensen has shown interest in supporting education and technology programs in his district, as reflected in his recognition of Western Illinois University's GIS Center. His background in meteorology has informed his engagement with science and technology policy, though specific legislative actions in this area are not detailed in available sources.

As a Democrat representing a competitive district, Sorensen has had to balance the interests of urban, suburban, and rural constituents across a geographically diverse territory. The 17th District includes significant agricultural land, small cities, and portions of larger metropolitan areas, requiring attention to a wide range of economic and social issues.

Personal Life

Eric Sorensen is one of the few openly LGBT members of the United States Congress. His identity as an openly gay man has been noted in media coverage of his campaigns and congressional service, making him a notable figure in the representation of LGBT individuals in American politics.

Sorensen's long career in television meteorology prior to entering politics gave him deep ties to the communities of central and western Illinois. His transition from a career in broadcast media to public office was facilitated in part by the name recognition and public trust he had built over more than two decades of appearing on local television.

Details regarding Sorensen's family life, personal relationships, and private interests beyond his public career are not extensively documented in available sources.

Recognition

Sorensen's work in Congress has been covered by regional media outlets across Illinois, including the Peoria Journal Star, WGLT, KWQC, 25 News Now, and the River Cities' Reader. His announcements regarding federal funding for the Rock Island Arsenal and his decision to boycott the 2026 State of the Union address were among the most widely covered stories involving his office in early 2026.

In October 2025, Sorensen was recognized for his engagement with educational institutions when he presented a Congressional Certificate of Recognition to Western Illinois University's GIS Center. While this was an honor bestowed by Sorensen's office rather than received by him personally, it reflected the broader recognition of his role in supporting institutions within the 17th District.

Sorensen's position as one of the few openly LGBT members of Congress has also drawn national attention, placing him in a select group of lawmakers who have contributed to increasing the diversity of representation in the United States House of Representatives.