Our democracy is under attack not just from foreign interference, but from insiders who undermine it with dark money, voter suppression, and outright extremism. In recent years, we have witnessed a campaign of lies about our elections, unprecedented attempts to overturn the will of the people, and a concerted push to make it harder for Americans to vote. We cannot take our democracy for granted. Democracy is not a guarantee; it’s a fight. And we must fight to rebuild it stronger, fairer, and more representative than ever before. Illinois has generally led on voting access, but even here we’re not immune to the corrosive influence of big money or gerrymandering. Meanwhile, across the country, Trump-aligned politicians are working to sabotage election administration and stoke distrust in voting itself. As someone who believes deeply in the power of the people, I will champion reforms that put everyday citizens back at the center of our political system. Let’s return power to the people where it belongs. 

I will fight to defend and expand democracy through measures such as:

• Restore the Voting Rights Act by passing the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. We need to revive the protections that were gutted by the Supreme Court. This act would require states with a history of voter discrimination to pre-clear changes to voting laws, stopping new voter suppression tactics before they can hurt people. It would also establish nationwide standards to guard against racially biased voting rules. No more purging voters for no reason, no more racial gerrymandering that dilutes minority votes. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy, and I’ll ensure federal oversight is in place to protect it. 

• Enact the Freedom to Vote Act for nationwide voting access. I support this comprehensive bill to set basic national standards for elections. That means guaranteed early voting in every state, no-excuse vote-by-mail options for all, automatic voter registration when you turn 18 or interact with the DMV, and making Election Day a federal holiday. It also means preventing extremist partisans from taking over election boards. Your ability to vote shouldn’t depend on what state you live in. Every American deserves convenient, secure voting methods and confidence that their vote will be counted. We saw record turnout in 2020 thanks to expanded mail voting; let’s build on that success, not roll it back. 

• Get big money out of politics. Our democracy should not be for sale to the highest bidder. The Citizens United ruling opened the floodgates for billionaires and special interests to pour dark money into our elections, drowning out the voices of regular people. I will fight to overturn Citizens United whether through a constitutional amendment or by confirming Supreme Court justices who will revisit it and push for robust public financing of campaigns. Additionally, I’ll support immediate steps like the DISCLOSE Act to force Super PACs to reveal their donors, and banning corporate PAC donations to candidates. Another critical reform: ban members of Congress from trading stocks while in office. It’s a grotesque conflict of interest that some politicians profit off insider knowledge. I will back legislation to prohibit members (and their immediate family) from stock trading so they focus on the public interest, not their portfolios. 

• End partisan gerrymandering. Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. I will advocate for independent redistricting commissions to draw congressional districts, taking that power out of the hands of self-interested legislators. Where commissions aren’t feasible yet, I’ll push for strict criteria to eliminate the bizarre, biased maps that undermine fair representation. Our own state of Illinois has seen gerrymandering from both parties and it needs to stop. Fair maps lead to fair representation. Ultimately, I’d like to see multi-member districts with ranked-choice voting to truly give voters more choice and power, but independent redistricting is a vital first step. 

• Protect election workers and democratic institutions. In the wake of 2020, local election officials and poll workers faced horrific threats simply for doing their jobs. We must shield the people who make our elections run. I will back federal penalties for those who harass or threaten election workers, and grants to help states bolster security for ballot counting and certification. I will also resist any attempt by extremists to subvert the Electoral College process. For example, I support the reforms to the Electoral Count Act (passed in 2022) that clarify the Vice President’s role as purely ceremonial and ensure each state’s legitimate electors are honored. Additionally, I support steps to depoliticize the administration of elections. Election officials should be nonpartisan professionals, not candidates with a stake in the outcome. 

• Bring fresh voices to Washington (shocker I know)! This can be accomplished through term limits and anti-corruption measures. To truly return power to the people, we need to break the iron grip of incumbency and special interests. I support exploring term limits for Members of Congress (for example, 12 years in the House and 12 in the Senate). Public service shouldn’t be a decades-long sinecure; bringing in new voices can help keep Congress more responsive. Alongside term limits, I want stricter ethics rules: close the revolving door so ex-lawmakers can’t immediately become lobbyists, and enforce conflict-of-interest rules vigorously. Leadership should be earned through service and ideas, not just accumulated through seniority and fundraising connections. 

Democracy is what makes everything else possible. If we lose that – if people stop believing their vote matters or that their government listens, we lose the foundation of our country. I got into this race because I believe in the power of the people of IL-17. I’m here to fight for a system that represents everyone, not just the wealthy and well-connected. Democracy is not self-executing; it survives only if we defend it. I am ready to defend it with everything I’ve got, and to ensure that the voices of regular folks are heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.