Politics
Congressional Candidates Donna Miller, La Shawn Ford on Primary Wins and What Comes Next
The Illinois congressional delegation could be getting a new look. Four members either are retiring or left to run for higher office, opening up the opportunity to usher in a new generation of leaders.
In Tuesday’s primary election, Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller won the Democratic nomination for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District. She is hoping to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly in the South Side and south suburban district. Miller beat former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. among other contenders.
In Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, state Rep. La Shawn Ford beat a crowded field that included Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin for the Democratic nomination to replace U.S. Rep. Danny Davis, who has served nearly 30 years.
Miller and Ford joined “Chicago Tonight” to discuss their primary victories and what comes next.
Donna Miller
Miller said she traveled across her district speaking with voters. The majority of concerns were about health care and affordability, two key issues on her platform. Miller said she believes prioritizing those matters ultimately resonated with voters.
“People are desperately afraid of what the health care cuts from the federal government look like to them on a personal level,” Miller said. “I engaged voters all along the way from 43rd Street all along the way to Danville … and talked about what people are concerned about, talked about families and being part of a community, and people want to see someone they can resonate with.”
Miller was initially endorsed by U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, but the congresswoman withdrew that endorsement over Miller’s reported acceptance of campaign money from American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, donors.
Miller said she doesn’t believe that will negatively impact her campaign going into November. She said she spoke with Schakowsky and the two are aligned about doing the right thing for people.
“For those who did not align with my candidacy, I want to have townhalls across the entire district and bring people in,” Miller said. “I promised that to people as I talked to them across the district, so that we can hear what they’re concerned about. We wanna make sure that we are accessing people, meeting them where they are but also making sure that they know we can be a resource for them.”
La Shawn Ford
Ford said he believes the work he’s done as a state representative and his endorsement from Davis helped him reach voters. On Tuesday night, Ford defeated a dozen other candidates in a crowded race.
He said his goal going forward is to unite the 7th Congressional District. He hopes to have a unity breakfast with other candidates to find ways to invigorate voters in November and ensure people who didn’t vote for him have their voices heard.
One of the primary issues in Ford’s platform was health care.
“We have to repeal the Trump administration’s big ugly bill, take away the tax cuts for billionaires, return the money back to health care systems for our seniors and those who need it the most,” Ford said. “And the best way to do that is to unite as a Democratic Party and be as progressive as possible so that when we win back the House, and hopefully the Senate, we don’t mess up the opportunity to give the people in this country what they need the most and that is Medicare for all.”
As far as the role of big money in Illinois elections, Ford said he is concerned about protecting “the voices of the people” and wants to push for campaign finance reform. He also said he wants to ensure younger voters are represented.
“As long as we widen our tent and bring more people in, we have to bring the young people in, the Gen Zs and the millennials, to make sure that they are able to fight and get their message out,” Ford said. “That’s how we’re gonna win districts and win the House.”
