Former Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman is involved in a battle with several other individuals—including Cheryle Jackson, State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias and openly gay candidate Jacob Meister—in the Democratic primary for the seat formerly held by now-President Barack Obama.
Windy City Times: My first question is a general one: You started your campaign a bit late [ in August ] . Do you feel like you've caught up, or is there still some catching up to do?
David Hoffman: I think we've caught up a lot, but we're not all the way yet. We've made tremendous progress in the last three and a half months running against someone who's an entrenched political insider. I've been in public service for 16 years, but I've never been a politician, and I didn't start the race with a campaign war chest, so that creates a disadvantage.
However, the advantage I have is that people really want someone, after all this corruption, who's not only an outsider but who has a record of fighting against powerful interests. It's truly an abuse-of-power issue. I've been fighting against corruption and the abuse of power—and that's not an easy task.
I'm proud of my work as inspector general and on the Illinois Reform Commission. In both situations, we were clear about what the problems were and we fought against the worst problems we see in our government—and those problems affect all of us in a negative way. When school admissions are handed out to people just because they're connected to politicians, all of us suffer. People want to know, with all the problems we've had, who they can trust. I think my record shows that people can trust me to fight for them in Washington because I've fought here at home.
WCT: What's the most important lesson you've learned about the political system so far?
DH: I've learned about entrenched some powerful [ people ] are in Illinois. It's difficult for someone outside the system to win; it's very stacked in favor of insiders and those with big campaign war chests. It's make it hard to get change.
The other lesson I learned is that it's really, really important—if we want to see a different kind of politics—that we pay attention to our elections and that we elect more outsiders. It can be done, but you need a lot of support. One of the things that makes it difficult is that so many people are so cynical of state politics that they feel change is almost impossible. But that's not necessarily the way it is. And part of taking back our system and politics is about electing people who are independent and who are experienced.
WCT: I want to switch over to LGBT issues. There was a [ recent ] controversy with Jacob Meister about a debate that took place at the Union League Club. Could you clarify [ Note: After the forum, Meister said he did not like Hoffman's statements that Hoffman is the only candidate who is married and a parent. ] ?
DH: Sure. I'm a strong supporter of gay marriage; I have spoken out about it almost wherever I go. It's simply an issue of equality. While I appreciate the fight for civil unions, the only answer that's consistent with equality is marriage. I've been a strong proponent of repealing the Defense of Marriage Act and ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," so my stance on equality for the gay community is clear.
During the debate, the issue of college-savings funds came up, and I talked about being a parent and how it's an important part of who I am—and, I have to say, I don't see anything wrong with saying you're a parent. I do have a great appreciation for the difficulty gay people have [ regarding ] adopting, but I do know gay parents and I don't think saying you're a parent is saying anything about someone's sexual orientation. I do believe Meister's comment was incorrect.
WCT: I want to bring up one other thing Meister said. When I interviewed him, he said that once people learn about your background and that you worked for [ former U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justce ] William Rehnquist and [ Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Dennis ] Jacobs, people will realize you're pulling the wool over the public's eyes. What's your response to that?
DH: I think it's really unfortunate for any attorney to try to disparage someone who has had the honor of clerking for the Supreme Court. I think the best answer was given by Judge Abner Mikva, who has endorsed me and is one of the great liberal icons. He was asked, "How can you endorse David when he clerked for Chief Justice Rehnquist?" ( By the way, I've always been a Democrat, and was the head of the Law School Democrats. ) Judge Mikva explained, "When you have the honor of applying to the Supreme Court, you are told to apply to all nine justices. You take the clerkship you get, if you get one. I clerked on the Supreme Court under a conservative justice [ Sherman Minton ] , too. You can't tell the ideology of the clerk from the ideology of the justice."
It was an honor to clerk there; a large number of Rehnquist clerks were either liberal or Democrat. To infer that you can [ ascertain ] the ideology of the clerk from [ that of ] the judge is simply false.
I think the bottom line is that people who are concerned about keeping the seat Democratic and having someone who's strong on progressive and gay-rights issues should send the right nominee. That involves someone who has the right experience and someone who can take the corruption issue off the table. I'm the only nominee who fulfill those criteria. Other people will do what they have to do get their names out there, and sometimes people do that by saying inflammatory things. But I'm someone with the track record of 16 years of leadership experience, and that's what we need. I have the best chance against Mark Kirk.
This seat is at risk of going to the Republicans. The National Journal ranked this seat as the number-two most at-risk seat in the entire country for Democrats.
WCT: Of course, same-sex marriage has been in the spotlight for a while, but do you feel that's the most pressing issue for the LGBT community?
DH: I think the civil-rights issue is the lead issue. There are other [ important ] issues: the need for healthcare reform, the need for more financial support for social services and stronger support for anti-discrimination laws, which relates to the civil-rights issue. I'd say civil-rights issues are most important.
WCT: What's your own experience regarding LGBT issues?
DH: My experiences around LGBT issues involve friends. There's was my roommate my freshman year in college...
WCT: I heard about this. Yale, right?
DH: Yes. My roommate was [ Chief Operating Officer at AIDS Walk Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco ] Colin Weil. I was at a fundraiser in San Francisco a [ while ] ago; it was great to see him.
My experience comes from my friends—some of whom are single, some of whom are in committed relationships and some of whom have children. For me, the drive for equality that we need makes so much sense, because it's unfair that my friends shouldn't be at a disadvantage, regarding their status, how they file their taxes or any other aspect of life. I'm dedicated to change our laws so they reflect true equality.
WCT: As you know, President Obama recently signed a federal hate-crimes law. Some people feel that such laws actually reinforce hateful behavior by punishing people for committing a specific type of crime. What's your position about that?
DH: I don't agree with that at all. When people commit acts of violence, and there's proof that they're motivated by hate or discrimination against a particular group, that is worse than a random act of violence—and the law needs to treat that more harshly. If we don't have laws that send a message that acts of violence against the gay community and minorities are outrageous, then we're doing more to encourage it.
WCT: How would you grade Obama's and Congress' handling of LGBT issues?
DH: I'd say "fair," as in "just OK." I'm pleased that the administration has been put in the position that the Defense of Marriage Act should be repealed. I think "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" should be ended right away. I saw a story that showed the Senate's candidates on that, and there was a significant difference between mine and [ Alexi ] Giannoulias' positions on this. [ DADT ] is a blatantly discriminatory policy that prevents openly gay patriotic individuals from serving their country. I think the Obama administration should move as quickly as possible to end it.
I think there are more things the administration could do to [ foster ] equality, regarding tax laws and federal employment laws. I'd like to see those agendas be pushed more aggressively.
See www.hoffmanforillinois.com .
