2022 Voter Guide

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

We need more representatives in Washington who lead with a local approach - who meet with community leaders, hold open meetings, and listen to residents of the district, not special interests. Throughout my time serving my community here, I have done just that.

On the Moline School Board, I fought for every student to have access to the high-quality education they need and deserve, including my oldest son who struggled in school due to medical issues.

In my current role as Rock Island County Board Member, I’ve seen first hand how accountable leadership, partnership in working with those across the aisle, and authentic passion for serving those you represent is an incredible path for supporting your community and helping those within your community succeed.

These issues that I’ve seen and constantly worked to change for those in my community, are areas where Congress is largely failing. And, because of that, I see the American Dream my grandparents enjoyed slipping away. As my dad neared retirement after 40 years at Ingersoll, the company was sold to foreign investors, and corporate restructuring and the market crash put the family's retirement in jeopardy. I also regularly hear from my students that the future feels uncertain. Good jobs are hard to find, and many are already carrying crippling student debt. The skyrocketing costs of housing, childcare, and health care make living a life better than their parents’ seem impossible.

I am running for Congress to keep the promise that my grandparents worked so hard to make a reality—if you are willing to work hard, you should be able to get a great education, buy a home, raise a family, and retire with dignity in your own community. With the right leadership, we can keep that dream alive.

What does this office do well, and what needs fixing?

Congress has been plagued with increasing gridlock, to the point where we are failing to provide the change our constituents need to live a dignified life. As a Congresswoman, I pledge to find common ground and work across the aisle towards our most pressing concerns, like improving our infrastructure, bolstering our economy, and investing in education. Too often, “Representatives” are putting party over country, and special interests over our interests.

A strong Congressional office, like one Congresswoman Cheri Bustos had, can make an immense difference in constituents’ lives, connecting them to services for small businesses, food or housing assistance, community project grants, and so much more. I commend any Congressional office that offers quality, high-paced, thoughtful constituent service, and I pledge to provide continuity in service as our next Congresswoman.

What is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?

As your next representative, you can count on me to be a firm advocate for education, our economy, and our infrastructure.

In Congress, I’ll work to make lives better by supporting universal Pre-K and high quality childcare and education programs that prepare our kids for jobs that are in demand now and in the future at a fair and affordable wage.

In these challenging times, growing our economy by supporting small businesses, protecting workers, and restoring our country’s fiscal health has never been more important. Small businesses need access to both human capital through incubator spaces that can foster the skills necessary for successful entrepreneurship, and physical capital through investment in infrastructure and broadband to modernize their business. Workers need to be drawn to return to work, through safe working conditions, higher wages, paid sick leave, affordable and reliable childcare, and so much more. We need to support those already doing the work to ensure these conditions, like our local labor partners.

Infrastructure in our country is outdated and prevents our communities from building 21st-century economies. Ensuring that federal infrastructure plans include our community and creates good jobs by improving our bridges, fixing our streets, and repairing our aging public buildings will be a priority as your next Congresswoman. Infrastructure includes the provision of services for citizens to live out the American Dream; clean water, affordable and reliable utilities, and broadband access for all.

What specific steps would you take to ensure your office is accessible and responsive to your constituents?

The 17th district has been my home for the majority of my life, and I have deep roots in Rockford, Galesburg, Peoria, and here in my Quad Cities home. My friends and family here, both Democrats and Republicans, shaped who I am, and taught me to fight for what’s right and use my voice to help others. This commitment has never been dictated by partisanship, and I aim to be a representative for all in the 17th, not just Democrats. That means running a diligent constituent services program centered on real solutions, not bureaucracy and red-tape.

I’m deeply committed to investing in a healthy community; I taught part-time at Augustana College, educated my kids, served on the PTA, Moline School Board, and County Board, and I come from a union family. We need more representatives in Washington who lead with a local approach - who meet with community leaders, hold open meetings, and listen to the people’s voices, not special interests. Throughout my time serving my community here, I have done just that. I have shown that commitment in my candidacy as well, through my diligent effort to travel the district and meet with as many residents as possible. Further, I intend to have mobile offices to better reach our rural communities throughout the district. Simply put, I plan on being in Northwest Illinois more than Washington, and I pledge to answer my phone and remain present, even through disagreements and challenging times.