Elected Officials

Darin LaHood

Congressman | 16th Congressional District

(202) 225-6201

Darin M. LaHood (born July 5, 1968) is a Republican politician from Peoria, Illinois, who is the United States Representative for Illinois's 18th congressional district. Prior to being elected to Congress, he was a member of the Illinois Senate representing the seven-county 37th legislative district.

 

LaHood was a prosecutor in the Tazewell County state's attorney's office and the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada in Las Vegas. On returning to Peoria in 2005, he took up private law practice; as of 2011 he is in the Peoria law firm of Miller, Hall & Triggs.

 

On July 7, 2015, LaHood defeated Mike Flynn 69%-28% in the GOP Primary to become the Republican candidate forIllinois's 18th congressional district, replacing Aaron Schock. He faced the Democratic candidate Rob Mellon in the September 10 special general election, easily defeating him with a large percentage of the vote, making him the Member-elect of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 18th congressional district.He was sworn in by House Speaker John Boehner on September 17, 2015.

 

LaHood lives in Dunlap with his wife Kristen; they married in 1992. They have three children: McKay, Lucas, and Teddy.