* Gubernatorial candidate sucks up to online anti-anti-virus “activist” who wants candidates to say they’d like to punch the governor in the face…

Friends, that’s just not right.

* NRCC…

Hi there –

Nancy Pelosi is seeking re-election, “despite her previous pledge in 2018 that this term would be her last as Speaker after leading House Democrats for the last 19 years.”

Will Marie Newman, Sean Casten, or Lauren Underwood back Pelosi if she wants to continue leading House Democrats?

Courtney Parella
NRCC
Regional Press Secretary

* Press release from a Republican candidate…

Regan Deering, of Decatur, is announcing her run for U.S. Congress in the newly mapped 13th district today.

Deering, born and raised in Decatur with a strong family history of giving back, has already been active in the area for years. She has served as the Capital Campaign Chair for Northeast Community Fund’s new facility to expand access to basic needs and emergency funding and worked as the Chair of the Decatur Public School Foundation to enrich the learning opportunities of local students. A commitment to public service has also led her to volunteer roles with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central IL and Pawprint Ministries. This community involvement has given her a front-row seat to the needs of families, and she plans to take their message to Washington.

“My husband Brian and I care deeply about the future of our three children and recognize that our country is at a critical point. We need common sense government that honors individual freedoms and the ability to create a life full of opportunity for all, regardless of your situation,” said Deering. With experience as an educator, small business owner, and active philanthropist in Decatur - Regan is invested in community development and individual success. Washington’s one size fits all solution to the problems facing working families in Illinois is doing more harm than good. Regan knows that progressive Democrats are out of control when it comes to trying to insert more government into the day-to-day lives of Illinoisans. She will travel the district to share her message of support for safe neighborhoods, great schools, growing economies, job creation, and a desire to unite around the American spirit.

Regan holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Duke University and a Master of Education degree from DePaul University.

The new Illinois 13 includes all or parts of seven counties-Champaign, Macon, Macoupin, Madison, Piatt, Sangamon, and St. Clair.

* Giving your announcement press release exclusively to Town Hall is a telling move…

Illinois Democrats have sought to solidify control through particularly partisan gerrymandering tactics. Jerry Evans, though, a music teacher and business owner, is still making Democrats work for their seats though, by challenging Rep. Bill Foster in the 11th district.

Townhall received a first look at Evans’ press release announcing his run.

“I am running for U.S. Congress because I believe that leadership starts with service, integrity, and is fueled by compassion. For over twenty years, I have had the privilege of serving my community as an educator, and empowering young people to experience their God-given potential,” Evan said. “The past 2 years of government overreach has not only hurt the children I teach, but my family, and the fifteen families of those I employ, as shutdowns and restrictions threatened my business and their jobs.”

He also had strong words for his opponent. “Bill Foster, Nancy Pelosi, and Joe Biden have made the lives of Americans worse by pursuing far-left policies that restrict freedoms, drive up inflation, and overlook the needs of children, the poor- and the everyday American. I am running for U.S. Congress in order to restore freedom, economic and educational opportunity, support safety in our communities, and stand for the fundamental rights of parents, in the United States of America,” he concluded.

* Press release…

Reproductive health advocate and mental health professional Eileen Dordek announced her candidacy today for the 13th District of the Illinois House of Representatives. Majority Leader Greg Harris announced he would not seek reelection on November 29th, 2021.

“We were so fortunate to have Leader Greg Harris as our Representative for the past 15 years and as a leader in our state,” said Dordek. “I have spent my life serving others and advocating for the rights of women, families, and the LGBTQIA+ community. In Springfield, I will be a champion for our community, expanding mental healthcare services, lowering the cost of child care, and expanding paid leave.”

Dordek announced she raised $65,000 in her first two weeks of fundraising, reporting $63,000 in A-1 contributions (donations $1,000 and above reported to the State Board of Elections).

In addition, Dordek has secured a number of major political endorsements, including 47th Ward Democrats, Senator Sara Feigenholtz, Senator Laura Fine, Representative Ann Williams, Representative Anna Moeller, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, MWRD Commissioner Kim DuBuclet, Alderman Matt Martin, 47th Ward Committeeman Paul Rosenfeld, 9th District State Central Committeewoman Carol Ronan, and Northfield Township Committeewoman Tracy Katz Muhl.

* Politico…

— Fernando “Sergio” Mojica joins the race to replace House leader Greg Harris in Chicago’s northside 13th district. Mojica, a Chicago Public School principal, would be the state’s first openly LGBTQ Latino member of the General Assembly if elected.

— Endorsement: State Sen. Melinda Bush and State Reps. Deb Conroy and La Shawn Ford are endorsing Democratic candidate Chelsea Laliberte Barnes for the state House in the newly drawn District 51.

— Scott Kaspar, a Republican candidate in IL-06 congressional district, is creating a Public Safety Task Force to address crime in the district. And he’s enlisted former New York City Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik as an adviser.

— Norma Hernandez, who launched her campaign for state Representative in the 77th House District this week, is a Triton College trustee. Your host misidentified her title yesterday.

I posted that brief yesterday and also didn’t catch the mistake.

* Powering ahead despite the escalating ethics probe…

Today, a coalition of leading women’s advocacy organizations announced their joint endorsement of Congresswoman Marie Newman in her campaign to represent Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. The organizations include the National Women’s Political Caucus, Feminist Majority, and the National Organization for Women PAC (N.O.W. PAC).

“The N.O.W. PAC is proud to endorse Marie Newman and convey the gratitude and appreciation our members feel for her longstanding leadership and vision. She’s always there for women - when they need access to reproductive care, justice for survivors of domestic violence, LGBTQ+ rights, and constitutional equality. We need to keep her in Congress,” said Christian Nunes, N.O.W. PAC Chair.

“The National Women’s Political Caucus is delighted to endorse Marie Newman for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District. We know that in her second term, the congresswoman will continue to fight for women and for the issues most crucial to women’s equality,” said Donna Lent, President of the National Women’s Political Caucus.

“I have been fighting for reproductive rights for 30 years, and with recent attacks from far-right Republicans set on controlling women, there’s no chance in hell I’m stopping now,” said Congresswoman Marie Newman. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of each of these powerful organizations and I can’t wait to continue working with them when I’m re-elected to Congress.”

Congresswoman Newman has been active in supporting women’s issues for decades. In her 20s, she helped open the first reproductive care clinic in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood at a time when there were few safe opportunities for women to seek reproductive care in the area. In Congress, she is a proud member of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus and has a 100% pro-choice voting record. She voted to repeal the Hyde Amendment, to expand federal paid family leave, and to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act, the Paycheck Fairness Act, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Congresswoman Newman proudly voted to pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, introducing and passing an amendment to the bill to create a new grant program to serve LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, stalking, and sexual assault.

These endorsements add to a growing list of support among women’s organizations, including the early endorsements of EMILY’s List and Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

* More…

* Five months to go: Here’s what you need to know to prepare to vote in Illinois’ primary