Kevin Ryan

Candidate Q&A

Why are you running?

I am running to make our government work for all of us, not just the 1%. In order to do this, we must end the corrupting influence of money in politics. Just 1% of wealthy donors fund nearly 80% of all political campaigns. That is why our government works for the 1%. In order to elect the majorities we need to pass Medicare for All, universal childcare, and fully funded public education, we need to take money out of politics through a Constitutional amendment and establish publicly financed campaigns.

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

The most pressing issue facing all of us is that our democracy has reached a critical failure. It does not work for us. Donald Trump is not the product of our national will, he is the product of a broken political system that values money over all else. Until we remove the corrupting influence of money from politics, we will remain incapable of addressing the affordability crisis, climate change, healthcare reform or any other issue facing us today. And unless we repair this system, more Trumps will rise. We need to elect people committed to reforming our broken political process, not those who actively reinforce it through their own campaign fundraising.

What do you think federal immigration reform should look like?

We need to streamline the process to enter the country legally and allow for easier paths to citizenship for residents who work, pay taxes, and abide by the law. We also need to have a secure border to ensure there is a process for people to enter the country legally. If the ultra wealthy can send their money overseas freely to avoid paying taxes, why can't labor cross the border freely? One builds our economy, the other effectively steals from it.

How should the Senate address the rising costs of health care?

I strongly support single payer healthcare and Medicare for All as a means to universal healthcare.

What approach would you take on tax policy?

I believe we need to restructure our tax policy to place the burden of taxation on the ultra wealthy and not the working class. This means instituting a wealth tax, closing off shore loop holes, and increasing the income tax brackets for incomes (derived from wages/salaries, interest, and dividends) over seven figures. This restructuring will provide the necessary revenue to fund the programs we need to make our government work for all of us.

Should any changes be made to the size of the Supreme Court or the confirmation process?

I support expanding the US Supreme Court to reflect the expansion of the country as well as implementing a 12 year single term limit for all justices with staggered start dates to ensure each presidential term gets at least one nomination.

Do you believe the structure of the Senate leads to legislative gridlock? What would you change?

The filibuster is a central question here. I have heard many vocal proponents of ending the filibuster argue that its continued use only creates gridlock. But right now, the filibuster is the only thing protecting us from an unchecked Republican Party in control of all three branches of government. This is precisely why the filibuster has not been removed. 

I do believe the nature of the Senate is meant to lead towards compromise, which, in today's highly divisive environment, can lead to gridlock. But if we reform our electoral process by implementing campaign spending limits, publicly financed campaigns, ranked choice voting and non-partisan, open primaries, then we will elect Senators more responsive and representative of the people. This will help defeat the gridlock we currently see.

What is the most pressing foreign policy issue facing the country and what role should the Senate play in dealing with it?

President Trump's wild disregard for international law is the greatest issue facing our country when it comes to foreign policy. He is doing great harm to our international relations by threatening NATO allies, withholding dues from the UN, attempting to establish his own private UN Security Council, and threatening and using military force in the Western Hemisphere. Once we restore rule of law to our federal government, I believe the next administration must signal to the rest of the world our re-commitment to international law by ratifying the Rome Statute and becoming a party to the International Criminal Court.

How do you view AI and the role the government should play in its regulation?

AI and AI data centers must be regulated by its own federal agency. We must place a moratorium on the construction of new data centers until we can adequately fund and conduct the necessary research to appropriately regulate energy usage, water consumption, and environmental impacts of data centers.

How will your approach differ from or mirror that of U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin?

I am a New Deal Democrat from a new generation ready to meet this moment. I will not be a Robert's Rules Senator. I will act boldly, because that is precisely what this moment demands. Senator Durbin's adherence to the "Blue Slip" policy gave Republican Senators carte blanche to nominate whoever they wanted in Republican controlled states. We need a real fighter who refuses to rely on the failed dogmas of the past. And that is exactly what I intend to do.

How would you describe the current state of your party and what changes or new approaches would you like to see your party adopt?

My sojourn through Illinois politics has taught me that the Democratic Party of Illinois is more interested in maintaining the power and influence of those individuals in elected offices and leadership roles than the actual health of our democracy. Despite being a legally qualified candidate on the ballot, I have had a number of doors shut in my face by party insiders. I have been denied opportunities to speak. And I have been ignored. But, in the words of Shirley Chisholm, "If the do not give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair." I remain unperturbed. 

This is not the democracy I risked my life for in Afghanistan, and this is certainly not the democracy I taught to my students. Regardless of how many doors are shut in my face, I will continue to relentlessly advocate for campaign spending limits, publicly financed campaigns, ranked choice voting, and non-partisan open primaries.