Montez Soliz Takes on Eric Sorensen: Freeport Voters Welcome a Bold Challenge
FREEPORT, IL – August 29, 2025
Freeport voters are watching closely as Montez Soliz, a rising community leader from Rockford, has stepped into the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 17th Congressional District, taking on incumbent Congressman Eric Sorensen. For many in Stephenson County, Soliz’s candidacy is energizing a Democratic base that has grown weary of status quo leadership, silence in the face of political gamesmanship, and a Congressman more focused on protecting himself than standing up for the people.
Sorensen’s Pattern of Silence
For voters in Freeport, this race feels personal. During the 2025 mayoral race, Sorensen refused to weigh in or support Democratic nominee Joshua T. Atkinson, telling political insiders he feared that backing Atkinson might result in being “primaried.” That decision drew deep frustration from Democrats who expected solidarity from their Congressman. Especially after voting for him only to see him return for photo ops to support his own re-election.
Atkinson, true to form, didn’t mince words:
“That’s the problem with the party. Cowards have no place in politics, and unfortunately it seems we’re full of them.”
But Sorensen’s reluctance didn’t end there. As MAGA-aligned Mayor Jodi Miller sought a third term, she repeatedly implied to voters that Sorensen supported her reelection. Despite the misleading portrayal, Sorensen never corrected the record. For Atkinson, that silence spoke louder than words:
“His silence is complicity.”
To many in Freeport, Sorensen’s refusal to stand up—for his own party or to the creeping influence of MAGA politics—has become his defining trait.
Atkinson’s Break and the Fallout
Joshua T. Atkinson’s run for mayor may not have ended in victory, but it transformed the political landscape in Stephenson County. Frustrated by weak Democratic leadership and what he called the party’s “cowardice,” Atkinson made the bold decision to switch parties. Today, he is running as a Republican for Illinois State Senate in the 45th District, positioned as the commonsense conservative who isn’t afraid to call out hypocrisy, corruption, and political complacency on either side of the aisle.
For many in Freeport, Atkinson’s switch was both a warning and a wake-up call: when leaders like Sorensen stay silent, they don’t just fail to lead—they drive away bold voices who might otherwise stay and fight within the party.
Enter Montez Soliz
Now, Montez Soliz is stepping forward to fill that void. Raised in Rockford by a single mother who defied the odds to graduate high school while raising her children, Soliz is no stranger to resilience, hard work, and the struggles of working families. His life lessons were reinforced by his grandfather, a community leader who dedicated his life to opening doors for Black and Brown students. From them, Soliz learned that leadership is not about prestige or political safety—it’s about responsibility and showing up when others won’t.
Soliz’s campaign is unapologetically people-first. He is fighting for economic justice, affordable healthcare and housing, bold climate action, voting rights, and civil rights protections. His message is clear: “This is why I am fighting—our future.”
Unlike Sorensen, who has avoided controversy, Soliz is embracing it—calling out Trump’s influence on democracy, challenging corporate greed, and insisting that IL-17 deserves a representative willing to fight, not flinch.
Freeport Responds
In Freeport, Soliz’s challenge has been met with excitement and relief. “We’re tired of leaders who stand on the sidelines,” said one resident after his announcement. “Montez looks like someone who will fight for us, not just play it safe.”
The contrast couldn’t be sharper. Sorensen represents politics-as-usual—measured, hesitant, and quiet when boldness is required. Soliz represents a new generation of leadership—rooted in community, unwilling to compromise on values, and unafraid to speak truth even when inconvenient.
A Pivotal Choice Ahead
The Soliz-Sorensen matchup is shaping up to be one of the most consequential Democratic primaries in Illinois in 2026. For Freeport, it is about more than party labels—it’s about courage versus cowardice, boldness versus silence.
Atkinson’s defection to the Republican Party and his Senate run serve as a cautionary tale of what happens when Democrats fail to back their own and fail to lead. Montez Soliz is now offering voters a chance to reset the course—to demand a representative who will not be complicit, not be silent, and not be afraid to take the fight where it needs to go.
As Soliz himself put it:
“I will not sit back and let others decide our future for us. This is our time—not a time to wait, not a time to hope someone else will act. It’s time to step up and lead.”
For Freeport and northwest Illinois, the choice has never been clearer: a Congressman who stays silent in the face of MAGA politics, or a new leader willing to fight boldly for the people.
