Paul Nolley

Born and raised in Rockford, Paul Nolley earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University and a Master of Public Administration from Northern Illinois University. Prior to public service, he worked as a cook, cashier, farmhand, and community organizer for Habitat for Humanity and United Way. Today, he serves as Executive Director of Project First Rate, promoting union apprenticeships and construction policies. Grounded in kitchen-table economics, Nolley’s campaign platform prioritizes protecting Social Security and Medicare, expanding collective bargaining rights, reviving domestic manufacturing, supporting family farms, and banning congressional stock trading to return power to everyday working people.