With so many interesting political races taking place across the state, Windy City Times asked various individuals what race ( s ) they are following. Here is what a few of them had to say:
—Michael Bauer, political activist: In a number of races in the Illinois primary, the LGBT community is fortunate to have numerous candidates in each of the races who are supportive of our community. However, two particular races of importance to me exist—first, the contest for the Democratic nomination for the 10th Congressional District. The two major candidates are Julie Hamos and Dan Seals. I am supporting Julie Hamos for several reasons: 1 ) she has a strong record of support for our community as a state representative; 2 ) she is one of the most substantive and effective state legislators I know; and 3 ) should she win the primary, she has the potential to win the general election and turn this Republican seat ( currently held by Mark Kirk who is running for the U.S. Senate ) into a Democratic one.
Her opponent, Dan Seals, has run and lost twice against Congressman Mark Kirk; should Dan win the primary, I expect that he has topped out in terms of his capability to appeal to 10th CD voters and will not be able to win any additional voters in order to win the general election. Julie's ability to win this currently Republican seat becomes all the more critical because we are beginning to realize that many House Democrats may lose their reelections in November and winning the 10th CD may be critical to maintaining Democratic control of the U.S. House and to avoid referring to Republican Minority Leader John Boehner as "Speaker Boehner" which would be a disaster for the LGBT community.
The other race is the Democratic nomination for Cook County Board presidency. One candidate, 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, has progressive values, strong leadership skills and impeccable integrity. Toni supports same-sex marriage and, as President, has advised me that she would lobby state senators and state representatives who represent parts of Cook County in Springfield, to support same-sex marriage legislation. Those efforts would be particularly helpful as to some African-American state senators and representatives who so far have reticent to support either same-sex marriage or civil-union legislation.
—The Rev. Stan Sloan, CEO of Chicago House and Sweet Miss Giving's: I feel like the governor's race is the critical election this year. The state has never been in worse shape, and I feel like we need to select the candidate who will make the bold and decisive moves needed to secure our financial future. I believe Dan Hynes is the candidate who will take the necessary steps without compromising the social services that are so desperately needed by the vulnerable and disadvantaged in our state.
—Bob Zuley, Lakeview Action Coalition member and former policeman: I'm closely watching the 11th district Democratic state house race between Dan Farley, Ed Mullen and Ann Williams. Farley is the son of former state senator Bruce Farley, and is the candidate of powerful 47th Ward alderman/committeeman Gene Schulter and is endorsed by Congressman Mike Quigley. Ann Williams is a former staffer for Illinois attorney general Lisa Madigan and a former attorney and lobbyist for Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, and is endorsed by state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz. Williams is openly gender-biased toward sexual assault victims and fails to recognize male sexual victimization. Progressive civil-rights attorney Ed Mullen has a record of advocating for the disabled, seniors, community activism, and is extremely LGBT-friendly.
—Debra Shore, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District commissioner: Voters have some clear choices in the primary election—to support a number of qualified, independent, smart candidates or not. Toni Preckwinkle would bring integrity and independence to the county board. Ed Mullen and David Schroeder will help tip the balance toward fairness in Springfield; and Todd Connor is an impressive candidate for Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Jim Madigan is a capable young man with a bright future; I wish he had chosen another race. State Sen. Heather Steans, however, has demonstrated clear leadership, voting against the budget, introducing an Equal Marriage Act, and putting forth legislation that would provide domestic partner survivor pension benefits for retired teachers.
—Bernard Cherkasov, Equality Illinois executive director: I am a political junkie, and I am ardently following elections on both local and federal levels. On the federal level, I am concerned about losing the pro-LGBT equality majority, and I am watching to see how the voters are going to respond. We have a strong field for Congressional seats from Illinois, and pro-equality voters have some historic choices to make.
In state-level races, I am very excited that we have strong pro-LGBT equality candidates running for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and the legislature. The fact that we have so many viable candidates advocating for LGBT equality really shows that the people of our state are eager for full equality for LGBT people in Illinois.
—Michael Carr, Log Cabin Republicans-Chicago president: I'm interested in a few races: the U.S. Senate, and House races in the 5th and 9th districts. I am also interested in the Illinois state senate races in the 7th, House races like the 56th and the race for Cook County board president. And of course, the race for Governor.
It's a great election cycle for the gay community and for Republicans. It hasn't often been the case that gays really had much of a choice; voting "D" was synonymous with voting your conscience. Right now there are several strong, viable and gay-friendly candidates who can effectuate real change for gay families in Illinois. That's exciting.
—Andy Thayer, Gay Liberation Network co-founder: I am not following any political races closely this election. Elections are mainly about which careerist and his/her hangers-on will lord it over us for the next few years rather than about real change ( witness the latest presidential election ) , and so I have as much interest in them as the name of Tiger Woods' latest alleged mistress.
No civil-rights movement ever won its main ( or arguably, any ) victories by voting or kissing up to the powerful at black-tie galas. The main victories were won in the streets. Why should LGBT people think that we're somehow "special," that we're somehow "above" the grunt work that has won civil rights in the past?
Here we are on Martin Luther King's birthday and yet most Americans don't know that he never endorsed a political candidate in his life—he focused instead on the kinds of activities that really advanced freedom.
The main questions we should be asking ourselves are not "What are the important election races" or "Who should I vote for" but, rather, "How can we advance civil rights progress today?"
—Michael McRaith, director of the Illinois Department of Insurance: The election of President Obama, and large majorities in the House and Senate, brought hope for progressive and moderate Democrats that issues of fairness and equality, including in healthcare, will receive priority. A Democratic loss in the election to replace Massachusetts Sen. Kennedy ( Coakley v. Brown ) could dim if not doom those near-term aspirations.
