It’s official!
John filed over 1700 ballot signatures this morning with the Illinois State Board of Elections
in Springfield for the special election to fill the remainder of Denny Hastert’s term.
The primary will be February 5, with the special election on March 8.
An all-volunteer army of John’s friends and neighbors in the 14th district completed the task
in under a week!
This capped off quite a week for our campaign to place a true progressive in the seat that Hastert broke.
Right now, we believe that only a carpenter can fix it, and John's ready with the big hammer of people-power!
We wouldn’t be in the strong position we’re in without our volunteers and supporters in the 14th.
We’re fighting big money, cynicism, and old school politics in this race for them.
Thursday, December 6th, brought the first face-to-face meeting with our good friend Ed Schultz,
one of our favorite voices of the progressive movement.
Ed has had John on his show and wholeheartedly supports John’s campaign telling his audience that we need a union carpenter, a working man, in Congress to represent us.
Later that same evening, the Progressive Democrats of America
held a fundraiser for John with the legendary Dr. Quentin Young
of the PNHP, an ardent supporter because of John's unequivocal support for single payer health care.
He brought apologies and good wishes for John from his old friend Studs Terkel,
who had planned on joining him, but was a little under the weather.
Everyone on the campaign is honored and thrilled by Studs’ support.
Thanks Studs, we hope you make the victory party!
John is the only candidate in this race, Democrat or Republican,
who supports the Conyers single payer bill, HR 676,
leading the way for working families and seniors in the 14th district.
If you're unfamiliar with Dr. Young, please take a minute, and learn about a man
who's devoted his life to progressive causes.
Saturday brought our ballot petition drive for the special election,
and the response from the community that overwhelmed us.
We had planned for a huge turnout, but the number of volunteers who showed up had us scrambling for more petition clipboards.
John and the campaign sincerely thank his supporters in the 14th district who gave up their Saturday to collect signatures on a chilly December day.
John and his union brothers
Hot pizza on a cold day
This photo was from a party we had in November in honor of our volunteers.
Way to go team!
Our sincerest thanks to all, and we’re ready for the sprint to the finish line!
Jennifer Laesch, Campaign Manager
I'm presently on the road, heading back from Springfield, but will drop by when I'm back in the district-thanks again!