* Last year it was President Obama endorsing Juliana Stratton over Rep. Ken Dunkin. This year it’s Keith Ellison. From a press release…
U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, who also serves as the Deputy Chair of the Democratic National Committee attended the campaign launch of Dilara Sayeed, candidate for State Representative of the 5th District.
Sayeed is running for the 5th District seat to be vacated by Lieutenant Governor candidate Juliana Stratton. Sayeed is a community leader and former Chief Education Officer of the Golden Apple Foundation. She would be the first Muslim to be elected to the Illinois state legislature, and only the third in the country.
“You need to have state legislators willing to stand up for public education, to stand up for key issues,” Ellison said. “We’ve got to have state legislators who can be unrelenting and not back down. Dilara is stepping into [this work]. Step into it with her, because you are rolling with the right person.“
Ellison praised her efforts. “She’s reaching out to people, to communities, and we have to be there. Not for her sake, but for all of ours. Dilara, I’m very proud of you.”
“I’m blessed to be able to call Congressman Keith Ellison my friend,” Sayeed said.
Sayeed’s campaign is off to a fast start, raising $50,000 in two weeks from over 60 contributors.
“She’s the real deal,” said Reverend Leslie Sanders, senior pastor of Hope Presbyterian Church. “She has the knowledge, the political skills, and what matters most is that she cares.”
Pastor Joaquin Barry led the guests in prayer. He called on the community to work together and asked for God’s Grace to carve a path to victory.
The campaign launch was held at Sunshine Enterprises, a community incubator in the district that trains and equips local entrepreneurs. One of Sayeed’s key campaign issues is a focus on bringing business and economic revitalization to communities and supporting talent in the 5th District.
“One of the platforms of our campaign is that we shouldn’t call it the American Dream, it should be the American Promise,” Sayeed said. “If people work hard, if we try and are persistent, and if we follow the rules - then we should be able to build a life. My husband and I have been fortunate to build a life…and my career has been about being a bridge so that others can build that life too.
50 grand? Not bad. She may need it. Tregg Duerson, the son of the late Chicago Bears great Dave Duerson, has loaned his campaign $51,000 so far.
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 10:06 am:
Although it’s worth noting that Obama and Ellison do not always have the same motivations, to say nothing of the fact that this is a very different situation.
- TopHatMonocle - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 10:13 am:
Ellison doesn’t move the needle one centimeter, I doubt many people in that district even know who he is.
- lake county democrat - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 10:19 am:
Normally I’d agree that Ellison isn’t that big of a deal, but there’s an inter-party battle going on between the party “establishment” and the left wing of the party. Bernie Sanders endorsed Ellison over Obama’s pick for DNC chair. So —maybe— Ellison attracts some outside money to the race that otherwise wouldn’t be there.
- Sideline Watcher - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 10:29 am:
African Americans are very astute when it comes to politics. In Black political circles he is well known. Especially after the fight for leadership of the Democratic Party. There are many people who know who Keith Ellison is.
Interesting handle name to assert that many people in that district don’t know who he is.
- Texas Red - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 10:34 am:
“we shouldn’t call it the American Dream, it should be the American Promise”
In a Representative Democracy form of government with a constitutional framework, nothing is promised to anyone other than the freedom to pursue one’s own interests. Ellison/Sayeed are offering nothing more than the same old tired progressive promise of equality of outcome rather than equality of opportunity.
- TopHatMonocle - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 11:01 am:
Sideline Watcher, I agree with you completely. You and I know who Ellison is, and astute people in political circles know who he is. So maybe I’m making an overly broad assertion here, but I feel like the average voter in Illinois’ 5th state rep district would be hard-pressed to name a member of congress beyond their own.
- Honeybadger - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 11:55 am:
I thought State Senator Obama was the first Muslim? (Heavy sarcasm meant for Obama haters)
- Sideline Watcher - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 1:15 pm:
Honeybadger, hilarious! LOL!
TopHat…I can see your point about average voter…those of us who talk about this stuff daily forget that most people are just doing their life. And I mean doing…all the stuff you have to do every day to work, raise your kids, pay your bills, take care of extended family and on and on…no time to spend freely debating on a blog during a work day about politics. So, I hear you. Thanks.
- Naruto - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 1:26 pm:
In this case The American Promise means upholding constitutional rights for everyone and not just for white Americans.
- The Captain - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 1:35 pm:
Yeah but who will get the dreaded IllinoisGO endorsement? It’s a shame they disbanded.
- A constituent - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 1:37 pm:
I was there at the launch with Keith Ellison. They are old friends. Anyway it is refreshing to see new faces on the political scene.
- ChicagoWay - Wednesday, Oct 11, 17 @ 3:02 pm:
Surprising a black woman hasnt announced yet. That’s the obvious play in this district. My money is on that potential candidate if she gets in.