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* 12th House District Democratic candidate Kim Walz didn’t get the appointment to former Rep. Sara Feigenholtz’s seat, Mayor Lightfoot has endorsed the person who was appointed (Yoni Pizer) and organized labor is with Margaret Croke. Walz ended the year with just $15.5K in the bank and has reported raising just $7K since then. Press release…

We started this campaign with a mission, a goal, not only to win this primary race, but to raise awareness about issues that I hold dear; mental health awareness and treatment, access to quality health care for all Illinoisians, and fixing the broken finances of this state.

I am sad to end my campaign for State Representative today.

The race is no longer about issues or experience, it’s about powerful allies and their money. It is not a reality that I am happy about. However, it is a reality.

And I can not in good faith keep asking my friends, supporters, and family to contribute time and money to a campaign where the deck is stacked against me.

This race has never been about politics to me, it’s personal. My parents taught me it’s not about “me,” it’s about “we.”

To the brave woman outside the synagogue who shared with me that she struggled to find a mental health provider who would accept Medicaid. When she did find one, they couldn’t see her for four months so she had to commit herself to get care– I heard you, and I’ll never stop fighting for you.

To the gentleman at a community meeting who told me they are moving his elderly father into their home and struggling to find ways to help him age in place in a state with dwindling senior resources – I heard you, and I’ll never stop fighting for you.

To the 5-year-old girl outside a school waiting for her big sister who told me she needs me to fight against guns – I heard you, and I’ll never stop fighting for you. I might be leaving this race, but I am not leaving the fight.

Thank you to the elected officials and organizations who bravely endorsed me and advocated for me. Thank you, also, to the volunteers who have supported me, woke up at dawn to shake hands at bus stops, knocked on doors in the snow, or donated to my campaign. I hope that the issues I have championed during this race will continue to be a part of the discussion on the campaign trail with the remaining candidates. I urge you all to stay involved and I look forward to continuing to support my community and making Illinois a better for all residents.

You haven’t seen the last of me.

…Adding… From candidate Margaret Croke…

Kim is a respected and tireless advocate for this community. As the only other woman in this race, her voice will be greatly missed. She raised the bar during our conversations on the campaign trail around the issues and challenges facing our district and state, and I thank her for that.