Eric Sorensen

Eric Sorensen is an American meteorologist and politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Illinois's 17th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the first openly LGBT person elected to Congress from Illinois. Prior to his political career, he worked for over two decades as a television meteorologist for stations in Rockford and the Quad Cities.

Early life and education

Sorensen was raised in Rockford, Illinois, and developed an early interest in weather science. He pursued his higher education at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, where he earned a degree in meteorology. His academic training provided a strong foundation in atmospheric sciences, which he later applied in his broadcasting career. During his time at university, he was involved in campus activities that helped shape his communication skills.

Career in meteorology

Following his graduation, Sorensen began a prominent career in broadcast meteorology, becoming a familiar face in Northwestern Illinois. He first worked at WREX, the NBC affiliate in Rockford, where he provided forecasts and covered significant weather events for the region. He later joined WQAD-TV, the ABC affiliate serving the Quad Cities area, which includes communities in both Illinois and Iowa. Over more than twenty years on air, he earned a reputation for trustworthy science communication, covering everything from Midwestern tornado outbreaks to winter storms, and received several local awards for his work.

Political career

Sorensen announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives following the retirement of Democratic incumbent Cheri Bustos. His campaign focused on issues such as protecting Social Security and Medicare, supporting labor unions, combating climate change, and advocating for the LGBTQ+ community. In the 2022 election, he won the competitive race for Illinois's 17th congressional district, a swing district covering parts of Northwestern Illinois including Peoria, Rockford, and the Quad Cities. Upon his election to the 117th United States Congress, he was assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

Electoral history

In the Democratic primary for Illinois's 17th congressional district in 2022, Sorensen defeated several opponents including Jonathan Logemann. The general election contest was against Republican nominee Esther Joy King, a lawyer and Army Reserve officer. The race was targeted by both national parties, with significant spending from organizations like the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee. Sorensen ultimately won the election, securing a victory that helped Democrats maintain their narrow majority in the United States House of Representatives during the 118th United States Congress.

Personal life

Sorensen is openly gay and lives in Moline, Illinois. His election made him the first openly LGBT member of Congress from the state of Illinois. He has spoken publicly about the importance of representation and his personal journey. Outside of politics, he remains engaged with meteorological science and community activities in the Midwestern United States.

Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Illinois Category:American meteorologists Category:21st-century American politicians