Short version for IL-6

Vote for up to 6 delegate candidates and not any more. 3 men and 3 women will be chosen so bear that in mind. If you have no personal delegate preference we suggest you vote for all 6 for your preferred candidate. IF you prefer some individuals rather than others we suggest you vote for who you prefer. This would make it more likely your preferred candidates would be elected.

Short version for IL-11

Vote for up to 5 delegate candidates and not any more. 2-3 men and 2-3 women will be chosen so bear that in mind. If you have no personal delegate preference we suggest you vote for all 5 for your preferred candidate. IF you prefer some individuals rather than others we suggest you vote for who you prefer. This would make it more likely your preferred candidates would be elected.

The first choice on your ballot during the primary from February 6 – March 17 will be voting for President. This vote determines how many delegates will go to that candidate in your district due to percentages. For example, if your candidate receives 33% of the vote then they receive 1/3 of the delegates. If a candidate does not receive 15% of the vote in that US Congressional district then they do not receive any delegates at all. Remember only the delegates actually choose the nominee. The primary chooses the delegates who will choose the nominee in July.

The second choice on your ballot will be for delegates themselves. This part decides which delegates will go to the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee in July to represent specific candidates. Every delegate will be listed next to the last name of the presidential candidate that the delegate supports. The delegate candidate who get the most votes for each presidential candidate that qualifies will get selected bearing in mind that gender balancing requirements be met.

Lisle Township has 2 US Congressional Districts,IL- 6 and IL-11. If you live in IL-6 then you get 6 up to choices and if you live in IL-11 you get 5 choices.  This number was determined by the primary turnout in 2018. Some districts got between 3-8 delegates. Our state sends 101 regular delagates and 50 super delegates. The super delegates are party hierarchy like elected officials. This is new and due to Bernie Sanders making changes in the process last time around. If a candidate gets more than 15% and they do not have any specific delegates slated, then the Democratic Party of Illinois can slate the delegates for the candidate. Genders will be balanced per district for the slating and distribution of delegates.

You can choose all the delegate candidates for one candidate or you can choose some from a few as long as you choose the number for your district or you can choose less than the total number. If you live in IL-6 and have 6 choices then the top 3 women vote earners and the top 3 men vote earners will be chosen. So if you vote for all men or all women you are just helping that genders vote earners. You could vote for the male and female of your top 3 choices if you live in IL-6 and likely have a larger influence over who goes since it is likely that 3 campaigns will get over 15%. Each delegate candidate is required to vote for their chosen candidate, for the first round of voting. IF there is not a majority, then during the second round the delegates are allowed to potentially change votes and the super delegates are allowed to vote. It is very possible we could have a contested convention so knowing a delegates’ second choice is helpful as well.

• Running for: US Congress in the 6th District
• Email:  chloe@castenforcongress.com
• Email for campaign issues: info@castenforcongress.com
• Phone: (630) 534-3018
• Campaign manager: Chloe Hunt  chloe@castenforcongress.com
• Facebook:  facebook.com/castenforcongress/
• Website: castenforcongress.com
• Twitter: @votecasten
• Instagram: Teamcasten

Why are you running for this office?

Hardworking families in Illinois’ Sixth District elected me because they wanted an outsider’s perspective to come to Washington and fight for the priorities that they wanted to see done whether that be combatting the existential crisis of climate change, lower healthcare costs, invest in education, protect families from the epidemic of gun violence, and reverse the punitive tax code implemented by Republicans.

That’s why, as a Democratic member of Congress, I work hard to create meaningful, commonsense policies. In my first 200 days, I am proud to have introduced or cosponsored 204 bills embody those principles and that reflect the values of the Sixth District of Illinois. I am also proud that during my tenure in Congress, I have held 12 town halls in IL-06.

What are you planning to do if you win?

Here are two of my key priorities that I have fought for and continue to fight for in Congress.

1. Combatting climate change. Climate Change is an incredibly urgent and complex issue, which is why I was proud to preside over the floor of the House when H.R. 9 passed, Climate Action Now. This bill not only recommits us to the Paris Accords but also challenges to the Trump administration to come up with a plan to tackle this problem and reduce carbon emissions.
2. Lowering Health Care costs. There is no question that the American health care system is broken. Although, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) vastly improved the quality and protections of private insurance, there is still much work to be done. Health insurance premiums and prescription drug prices are far too high. Republicans continue to threaten to rip protections away for those with pre-existing conditions. We must secure these protections permanently and work to strengthen the ACA.

published in eblast 2019-12-07

• Running for: US Congress, 11th District
• Email: campaign@billfoster.com
• Phone: Robert Bourret – 630-310-6588
• Campaign manager: Robert Bourret –  robert@billfoster.com
• Facebook:  facebook.com/RepBillFoster/
• Website:  billfoster.com/
• Twitter: twitter.com/Foster4Congress

Why are you running for this office?

The House Democratic majority has shown Americans what Democrats stand for. Protecting and defending the ACA, Election reform and ending gerrymandering, passing universal background checks, extending consumer protections and Wall Street reforms, passing a nationwide $15 minimum wage, the Equality Act, and fighting back against climate change are just a few of the areas we’ve succeeded in passing major legislation through the House. I’m proud to have been a part of these historic achievements, and ask for your support to continue fighting for the constituents of the 11th district with a Democratic President and Democratic Senate.

What are you planning to do if you win?

With a Democratic President, we have a chance to finally get all of the achievements we’ve seen in the House signed into law. Healthcare is a human right – which is why I will focus on protecting and expanding the ACA with a robust public option that ensures everyone has access to affordable health coverage. I’ve also been successful in increasing research budgets for cost-effective technologies to combat the impending threat of climate change, and will continue leading the charge for science in the House. As the only Ph.D. physicist in Congress, I am committed to standing up for fact-based policy in our government. Democrats up and down the ballot need support – which is why I will continue my efforts to support Democratic groups and candidates throughout the 11th district and across the country. Democrats must remain united and focused on winning and holding Republican seats.

What accomplishments have you had in the past year or more?

I am the only Ph.D. physicist in Congress, I’ve led the way in fighting back against President Trump’s anti-science agenda and have been successful in securing funding for scientific research including cost-effective methods to combat climate change. This May, I introduced the BEST Act, which invests significant resources into energy storage technologies that ensures we adopt renewable energy worldwide – not just in the US. I voted for a nationwide $15 minimum wage, the DREAM Act, the Equality Act, election reform, universal background checks, and have helped defend the ACA from continuing Republican attacks. On the Financial Services Committee, I collaborated with Barney Frank and Elizabeth Warren to pass the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protections Act and have been fighting back against Republican efforts to water down and repeal it. I’ve also been appointed to lead a task force on the impact of Artificial Intelligence.

published in eblast 2019-12-07

• Running for: US House of Representative, 11th Congressional District
• Email: hello@rachelfventura.com
• Phone: 630-878-7454
• Campaign manager: John Laesch    john@rachelfventura.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/electventura
• Website: electventura.com
• Twitter: twitter.com/electventura
• Instagram: instagram.com/electventura

Why are you running for this office?

I believe government should work for EVERYONE! However, our political system currently works best for the wealthy few and not the majority. It doesn’t have to be this way. I’m running to close the wealth gap in American and fight the income inequalities. I’m running to pass the Green New Deal which will strengthen the middle class, create jobs, invest in our infrastructure, provide renewable energy, and eliminate emissions that harm our planet. I’m running to pass Medicare for All as it is past time we provide healthcare as a human right. Bold Solutions for Forward Progress!

What are you planning to do if you win?

I will co-sponsor the Green New Deal and Medicare for all. I will fight for significant criminal justice reforms like setting low cash bail limits, opposing private prisons and detention centers, decriminalizing marijuana, and reducing mandatory sentencing limits at the federal level. I support comprehensive immigration reform with a path towards citizenship.  I would continue to protect women’s rights and fight for equal pay. I support a $15/hr minimum wage indexed to inflation, I support the employee free choice Act (EFCA), and a Robinhood tax on Wall Street. We need to strengthen and expand Social Security by “scrapping the cap.” I am not taking corporate special interest money and would support significant campaign finance reforms and the Move to Amend.

published in eblast 2019-12-07

• Running for: Dupage County Board District 6
• What is your email?  ff09@comcast.net
• Email for campaign issues: greg4dupage@gmail.com
• Phone: 630-546-5015
• Campaign manager: Natalie Benner – natalie.benner@gmail.com
• Facebook facebook.com/GregSchwarzeDuPage6/
• Website: gregschwarze.com

Why are you running for this office?

The opportunity to serve the wonderful residents of our community has always been a passion for me, as has been evident in both my professional and personal life. As a local Firefighter/Paramedic for over 25 years, I have had the opportunity to see the best and worst times for the residents in DuPage County. I have first-hand contact on an everyday basis with the real people who live here.

I also am currently serving in my 4th term in the position of Carol Stream Village Trustee. In this capacity, I am fortunate to have opportunities to speak with residents about the needs of our community. My experience and compassion in this role have allowed me to take serving our residents to a whole new level, which I hope to continue to do in an even greater role as your representative on the DuPage County Board.

What are you planning to do if you win?

I will represent EVERYONE within my District.  I will focus on the needs of our growing senior population and support policies for the working-middle class.  I will continue my track record of being fiscally responsible.  New discussions regarding the opioid crisis need to be made with the epidemic worsening, as I have seen first hand as a Firefighter/Paramedic. Protecting our environment has to be considered in every decision made. Public Safety will always be a priority. I will be transparent and available to my constituents.   I promise to serve with humbleness, honesty, and integrity.

published in eblast 2019-11-26