Here in Illinois we’ve been pretty reliably blue and pretty much ignored in the presidential races. However, in 2018, we need to get busy to help advance the progressive agenda. First, and foremost, we have to work to unseat the odious incumbent Governor, Bruce Rauner. We have several good announced Democratic candidates and two outstanding progressives, Pawar and Biss. So let’s roll up our sleeves and get a good candidate out of the primary and all work against Rauner in the fall.
We also have an opportunity to make a real positive impact on Congress. The 3rd Congressional District is represented by the pretty conservative Dan Lipinski. His family thinks it owns this seat and he has a history of not supporting progressive causes. He’s a forced birther for one thing. The Tribune just announced that Marie Newman, who they call a progressive, is going to challenge Lipinski in the Democratic primary. Assuming Newman’s progressive credentials hold up, all progressive Dems in Illinois should get involved in her campaign before the March, 2018 primary.
Second, Peter Roskam, a very conservative Republican, is sitting in a district carried by Hillary. We need to channel all of the progressive energy and anger and take this seat back from the GOP in the fall. Again, all of you progressive Dems who live in totally safe Dem districts should get out and work hard for whoever ends up being Roskam’s opponent. I know I will. Will you join me?