Candidate Q&A
Why are you running?
I am running because the current representative for Illinois’ 12th District lacks integrity, accessibility, and accountability in representing our community. Our representative refuses to hold in-person town halls where constituents can directly question his decisions in Washington, and questions submitted for phone town halls are screened in advance. A representative has a responsibility to serve all constituents, regardless of political affiliation. We need leadership that looks beyond party lines and prioritizes what is best for our district and its people. I will be that representative — one who puts the needs of District 12 residents first.
What do you think is the most pressing issue facing your constituents and how do you plan on addressing it?
The most pressing issue for my constituents is affordability. The cost of everyday goods and services has risen by approximately 25% since the pandemic and has not come back down. To combat rising prices in this district, we need to ensure there are adequate jobs that not only pay workers a living wage, but also allow them to spend money locally and put it back into the district. I would vote to move funding toward infrastructure such as roads, schools, sewer systems, green energy, and healthcare. These investments create good-paying jobs while improving the services our communities rely on. I would also push for government contracts to be awarded to union and skilled labor so workers earn prevailing wages and trained professionals are completing the work. In addition, I would fight for childcare subsidies that help working parents, allowing both parents to work if they choose. Bringing more money into this district is the first step in strengthening the economy of southern Illinois.
What is one unique challenge your district faces and how do you plan to address it?
A unique challenge facing IL-12 is the impact tariffs have had on our farmers and their ability to sell their products. Illinois is the nation’s leading producer of soybeans and ranks second in corn production, and this district is known as one of the most agriculturally diverse in the state. The district has over 18,000 individual farms and more than 31,000 farmers. When farming struggles, the entire district suffers. Agriculture is tied to so many other local industries, including manufacturing, biofuels, transportation, retail, and hospitality. The market value of agricultural products alone exceeded $5.3 billion in 2022. When that kind of money stops flowing due to being outsold by foreign competitors, the entire district feels the impact. I will work to reestablish trade relationships with previously held markets while also expanding into new ones, so we are not relying on a single market. I would also fight for new soybean crush facilities in our district. These facilities would not only create new jobs, but also expand domestic demand for locally grown crops. Supporting the farming industry in this district is vital to keeping our communities strong, as so many people rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.
What do you think federal immigration reform should look like?
Our immigration system would be greatly improved by expanding earned legal pathways. Long-term residents who can pass background checks and have paid taxes should be given a clear path to citizenship. Automating paper filings and transitioning to a digital system would also help reduce administrative delays and errors. The immigration policy in the U.S. would further benefit by allowing STEM graduates educated in this country to remain here, either through an expedited pathway to permanent residency or by removing green card caps for those who earned STEM degrees in the United States. This would increase the number of skilled workers in science and technology fields and help the U.S. remain competitive and innovative. Enforcement efforts should focus on individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes, rather than on meeting arbitrary removal quotas.
How should Congress address the rising costs of health care?
Over 17% of District 12 residents were enrolled in Medicaid in 2024 — more than 120,000 people who rely on this coverage and could be affected by cuts caused by the “Big Beautiful Bill.” While the exact number of residents who may lose Medicaid is not yet available, most of those removed would likely turn to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for coverage. However, with ACA subsidies being reduced, many people would struggle to afford rising health insurance costs. This impacts not only those newly seeking coverage but also current ACA enrollees. To address this, we need to reinstate the ACA’s mandatory enrollment. The individual mandate helps sustain the insurance market; without it, the system becomes unstable. After the tax penalty for not carrying insurance was removed under the previous administration, ACA enrollment dropped, driving up premiums and increasing the reliance on subsidies for affordability. By reinstating the tax penalty, more people would enroll, stabilizing the market and ensuring coverage for all Americans. Even then, some will still need additional help. This approach would provide access to healthcare for all Americans and serve as a temporary measure while a more comprehensive system is developed to control costs in insurance, pharmaceuticals, and treatment.
What approach would you take on tax policy and what is your top priority?
To meet the expenditures of this country, we need tax laws with fewer loopholes and greater accountability for corporations and individuals. We cannot continue to run the country by providing disproportionate tax breaks to the wealthy and to large corporations. One way to address this is by taxing business loans or money borrowed against a business, which would close a commonly exploited loophole.
Is the House currently using its oversight powers in the way it should be? What areas of government need more or less oversight?
The oversight powers used by the current House have been lacking. Large financial commitments to Argentina and major military operations involving Venezuela should involve greater consultation with and approval by Congress. I also believe that many executive actions, including more than 200 executive orders issued over the last year, should have faced more scrutiny by the House, particularly when they significantly reshape policy. These include actions affecting collective bargaining rules, participation in international organizations like the World Health Organization, and environmental protections. Our democratic republic was never meant to be run by one person. Congress is supposed to serve as a check on executive power, but the current House has provided little opposition to unilateral actions by the executive branch.
What is the most pressing foreign policy issue facing the country and what role should the House play in dealing with it?
The greatest foreign policy issue we are facing right now is the United States’ relationship with other countries as it affects trade and security. For decades, we have stood beside our allies. Now, we are increasingly viewed as a country that cannot be trusted, and one that is pulling back from trade agreements. Those perceptions affect not only our national security, but also our ability to import and export the goods that stabilize and grow the U.S. economy. The House of Representatives needs to resume its role in controlling the power of the purse. The House must ensure it is exercising its authority over foreign aid funding and over the regulation of commerce with other nations, including the use or removal of tariffs. Congress cannot step aside on these issues. We need to make sure the United States is seen again not only as a trusted ally, but also as a reliable trading partner and market.
How do you view AI and the role the government should play in its regulation?
AI can be a useful tool, but it also carries serious risks. I believe the federal government should establish clear baseline guidelines, while allowing states to adopt more stringent regulations if they choose. There must also be accountability for AI technology companies when their products are used for dangerous or harmful purposes. Federal law should impose strong penalties not only on individuals who misuse AI, but also on companies that fail to prevent or address that misuse. Regulation should extend beyond AI systems themselves to include the data centers that support them. Data centers can place significant strain on local communities through high energy consumption and environmental impact. For that reason, I believe all data centers should be required to meet federal standards first, in addition to complying with state and local laws. These requirements should include environmental and energy impact studies conducted at the developer’s expense.
How would you describe the current state of your party and what changes or new approaches would you like to see your party adopt?
I believe our party needs to be more forceful and unapologetic in defending the democratic values this country was founded on. We have watched the Republican Party push its agenda with little regard for constitutional norms such as due process, free speech, and equality under the law. Too often, we have hesitated when we should have stood firm. We need to take a clear stand, present a united front, and fight for the principles that protect our democracy. If we, as the Democratic Party, want to show our supporters that we are worth supporting, we must be willing to speak clearly and confidently in defense of fairness, the rule of law, and the rights of every American, and not be afraid to say so.