Illinois’s 13th Congressional District’s progressive challenger gained a nod from 50501, the nation’s leading grassroots protest movement against oligarchy, fascism, and corruption

Champaign, IL (March 4, 2026) -- 50501, the grassroots progressive movement of community organizers dedicated to defending democracy and ending executive overreach, endorsed Dylan Blaha for Illinois’s 13th Congressional District today, alongside Demi Palecek, Illinois House of Representatives District 13 candidate. 

50501, the grassroots organizers of the 5 million person-strong No Kings protests, called Blaha a “real fighter for freedom” in his primary campaign against sitting Rep. Nikki Budzinski. The movement noted that, while nonpartisan, they are not neutral, especially when elected officials “push policies that serve billionaires over working people.” The national body reserves its endorsements for candidates that “stand with the people, against the oligarchy, and against the rise of fascism in this country.” Blaha and Palecek have been among the very few who received a nod from the organizers in 2026. 

“It is an honor that a massive movement like 50501 has recognized our campaign’s guiding belief that grassroots organizing is the backbone of democracy,” says Blaha, whose campaign refuses corporate and special interest PAC donations. “Top-down politics has failed this country. 50501’s decentralized, community-first mission gives people a chance to connect national issues to their real, local circumstances.”

50501’s success reflects a spirit of democracy that many in Congress have lost, according to Blaha.  “Illinois’s March 17th primary gives us an opportunity to realign our state’s political priorities to actually match the demands of its people,” said Blaha. “Americans are crying out in the streets for reform on healthcare, immigration, and affordability, and are handed data centers, forever wars, and bandaid solutions to ICE terror. Just like the civil rights movement warned, ‘move on over, or we’ll move on over you,’ 50501’s protesters are letting Democratic leadership know they need to act or get out of the way for people that will.” 

Blaha looks forward to joining with his neighbors at the Champaign County Courthouse in Urbana for 50501’s March 28th No Kings protest and is excited to work with its organizers for years to come in Congress.   

To reach the campaign for comment or interview, please contact hello@dylanforillinois.com or press@dylanforillinois.com. Blaha is also available directly for comment via phone or Signal at 630-240-2071.

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Dylan Blaha is a candidate for Illinois’s 13th Congressional District, an Army veteran, United States Army National Guard Captain, and University of Illinois-trained cancer researcher who is running to fight to put constituent voices, rather than lobbyist and corporate interests, back into the House of Representatives. Visit us at dylanforillinois.com or contact us at press@dylanforillinois.com.