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Casten announces endorsements from 40+ local elected officials and community leaders
U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) on Thursday announced the endorsements of 40+ Illinois elected officials and community leaders for his re-election campaign. This slate of endorsements includes Illinois state senators, Illinois state representatives, county elected officials, school board members, village trustees, mayors, and community activists.
The officials represent constituents from DuPage, Cook, McHenry, and Kane.
“Government works best when we are all working together,” said Rep. Sean Casten.
“I’m proud to have worked with these dedicated public servants over the past three years to deliver real results for families in the 6th District. Whether it’s securing grants to ensure local restaurant owners and first responders could keep folks on payroll, helping schools obtain the PPP necessary to keep students in the classroom, or providing county leaders with updates on what’s happening in Washington, fighting for the issues that matter to my constituents has been — and will continue to be — my top priority in Congress.”
The following people have endorsed Rep. Sean Casten in his re-election:
Illinois General Assembly Members
Senator Laura Ellman, Illinois State Senate (District 21)
Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Illinois State Senate (District 24)
Senator Laura Murphy, Illinois State Senate (District 28)
Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, Illinois State House (District 41)
Rep. Terra Costa Howard, Illinois State House (District 48)
Rep. Suzanne Ness, Illinois State House (District 66)
Rep. Anne Stava Murray, Illinois State House (District 81)
County Elected Officials
Corinne Pierog, Kane County Board Chair
Liz Chaplin, Chair Pro Tempore of the DuPage County Board
Dan Hebreard, President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage
Bill White, DuPage County Auditor
Paula Deacon Garcia, DuPage County Board
Dawn DeSart, DuPage County Board
Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Board
Julie Renehan, DuPage County Board
Mary Fitzgerald Ozog, DuPage County Board
Barbara O’Meara, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner
Jeff Gahris, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner
Tina Tyson-Dunne, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner
Township, Village, and School Board Officials
Bob Barnett, Mayor of Downers Grove
Erica Bray-Parker, Wheaton City Council
Erik Spande, Former Winfield Village President
Benny White, Naperville City Council
Eddie Bedford, Naperville Township Supervisor
John Waller, Naperville Township Trustee
Julie Federico, Naperville Township Trustee
Loretta Burke, Naperville Township Trustee
Yasmeen Bankole, Hanover Park Trustee
Chris Gilmartin, Village of Downers Grove Commissioner
Greg Hose, Village of Downers Grove Commissioner
Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt, Village of Downers Grove Commissioner
Shawn Hacker, Winfield Township Trustee
Erin Micklo, Glen Ellyn Library Trustee
Christopher Espinoza, District 99 School Board
Joanna Drexler, District 99 School Board
Local Community Activists
Marcie Love, Personal PAC Founder
Kim Savage, Former Chair of Downers Grove Township Democrats
Chris Hotchkin, Community Activist
Dianne McGuire, Community Activist
Fred Greenwood, Community Activist
Robert Bruno, Professor, School of Labor and Employment Relations, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Sandra Alexander, Community Activist
Politics with Steve Sheffey and Dana Gordon, Community Activists
Flo Appel, Community Activist
Endorsement quotes are below:
“I’m proud to support Sean Casten for re-election. As a member of the State Senate, I’ve seen Sean’s track record of supporting our communities first-hand, and I look forward to continue working alongside him on the issues that impact our districts,” said Senator Laura Ellman, IL Senate District 21.
“As a fellow engineer, I know that Sean Casten’s professional expertise makes him an effective legislator. He brings real-life knowledge and experience to the issues he’s tackling, allowing him to address even the most difficult problems. I’m proud to endorse him,” said Senator Suzy Glowiak Hilton, IL Senate District 24.
“Sean Casten has worked relentlessly to ensure that the federal government works for the betterment of the people of the 6th District. His endless dedication to his community and key issues like health care and education are why I’m proud to endorse him for re-election,” said Senator Laura Murphy, IL Senate District 28.
“Sean Casten’s dedication to ensuring our air and water are clean is immensely valuable to the 6th District. I’m proud to endorse him,” said Rep. Janet Yang Rohr, IL House District 41.
“As a member of the Illinois General Assembly, I’ve seen Sean’s passion, transparency, and dedication first-hand. That’s why I’m proud to endorse him for re-election,” said Rep. Suzanne Ness, IL House District 66.
“Sean Casten expertly combines his previous experience as an entrepreneur with an openness to new ideas in a way that makes him an incredibly effective legislator. I’m proud to endorse him,” said Rep. Anne Stava Murray, IL House District 81.
“Sean Casten is a proven progressive leader who has been in the forefront of the fight for women’s rights, affordable healthcare, and a clean and sustainable energy future. I am proud to endorse him for re-election,” said Liz Chaplin, Chair Pro Tempore of the DuPage County Board.
“Sean Casten exemplifies thoughtful, dedicated, and people-centered public service. As a county-wide elected official, I know that Sean always puts our community first and he has stood up to special interest groups that seek to undermine our quality of life. I am proud to endorse Sean Casten for re-election,” said Dan Hebreard, President of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage.
As a county-wide elected official, I know that Sean Casten knows that the only way to lead is first to listen, and his record shows that he is an active, enthusiastic listener for the hard-working people of the 6th District. From his leadership on expanding healthcare coverage to his tireless advocacy for a brighter, greener future for our grandchildren, I know that Sean Casten is fighting for the people of Illinois like you and me, and that’s why I am proud to endorse him for re-election,” said Bill White, DuPage County Auditor.
“I’ve seen Sean’s dedication to helping the underserved, bringing good jobs to our region, and fighting for our future environment first-hand. I’m honored to support him for re-election,” said Paula Deacon Garcia, DuPage County Board.
“Sean Casten doesn’t just talk about creating jobs in the 6th District – he’s done it. Whether it was when he owned his own business, or as a member of Congress, Sean has created good-paying jobs throughout our community. That is one of the many reasons why I’m endorsing Sean Casten in his re-election,” said Dawn Desart, DuPage County Board.
“What has impressed me the most about Sean Casten is the extent to which he reads the fine print and leans into the nuances of our local issues. We are better for having him as our Congressperson and we need his leadership and drive in our community,” said Greg Schwarze, DuPage County Board.
“Sean has had an incredible career building a business in IL-06 and creating jobs. It’s important we have people in government who understand how hard it is to run a business and who bring that commonsense with them to Washington. I am proud to support Sean Casten,” said Julie Renehan, DuPage County Board.
“Sean Casten is smart, dedicated, progressive, and effective. I can see the impact he has on our community every day and I’m honored to support his campaign,” said Mary Fitzgerald Ozog, DuPage County Board.
“As our Representative in Congress, Sean Casten has done an incredible job of reaching out to our local communities through his town halls and meetings with constituents. Sean is a smart, energetic and empathetic leader in Congress – and he’s truly a part of our communities here in the 6th District. I’m proud to endorse Sean for re-election to Congress,” said Barbara O’Meara, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner.
“We can’t keep denying the facts about climate, energy, and our future. Sean Casten shares my passion to educate people on the dangers we will face if we do not take responsible actions to secure the nation’s energy independence and to preserve water, air quality, and other resources. That’s why we need him back in Congress,” said Jeff Gahris, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner.
“As a member of the Forest Preserve, I have seen Sean’s fierce environmental advocacy first-hand. I’ve also seen his transparency and accessibility, and I know that he will continue to be an effective representative for residents of the 6th District,” said Tina Tyson-Dunne, DuPage County Forest Preserve Commissioner.
“My office is non-partisan and during my tenure as Mayor, I’ve worked to avoid the trappings of partisan politics particularly at the national level. As the Mayor of Downers Grove, I know the importance of our residents being represented at all levels of government and I think they deserve to be represented by someone who lives in their district. I agree with Sean in urging those who are considering running for office to do so within the legislative district where they live,” said Bob Barnett, Mayor of Downers Grove.
“Sean Casten has proven time and again that he is accessible and listens to all of his constituents. Over the last three years, he’s participated in town halls with students, educators, and community members throughout the district and I’m proud to endorse him,” said Erica Bray-Parker, Wheaton City Council.
“Sean Casten for Illinois’ 6th District has the energy, drive, and vision to fight for us and our values in Washington. As Winfield’s former mayor, I’m pleased to endorse Sean again!” said Erik Spande, Former Winfield Village President.
“Sean Casten effectively and efficiently represents the constituents of his district. He is a smart and innovative leader who understands the importance of public service. I am honored to endorse Sean Casten for re-election,” said Benny White, Naperville City Council.
“Now more than ever, our state needs Sean’s leadership, vision, and determination to continue the fight for working families in Washington. I’m happy to be on Sean’s team because he has always been on ours – and I know he’ll continue fighting for IL-06,” said Eddie Bedford, Naperville Township Supervisor.
“During this pandemic, Sean has always put the safety of workers and families first. He’s accessible and transparent and I’m proud to support him,” said John Waller, Naperville Township Trustee.
“I support Sean Casten because he’s always been there to support us. He puts in the work and deeply cares about our district and families. We need him in Washington!” said Julie Federico, Naperville Township Trustee.
“Sean Casten is a local job creator and scientist who knows what it takes to make a meaningful difference in the 6th District. That’s why I’m endorsing him for re-election,” Loretta Burke, Naperville Township Trustee.
“Sean Casten is a champion for the people of Illinois. I’m impressed by his passion and his dedication to champion our values and I’m honored to support his campaign,” said Yasmeen Bankole, Hanover Park Trustee.
“I am honored to have Sean Casten representing me in IL-06. He’s already brought $3,000,000 home for the people of his district and I know that he will continue to fight for our values in Congress,” said Chris Gilmartin, Village of Downers Grove Commissioner.
“As a neighbor, colleague and friend, I’ve seen how Congresswoman Casten worked hand-in-hand with local government officials to protect our community during the COVID-19 pandemic and set us up for success. I trust him to deliver for the people of Illinois and I’m honored to support him,” said Greg Hose, Village of Downers Grove Commissioner.
“I trust Sean Casten to fight for the progressive values that Democrats care about. Sean will be a champion for reproductive rights, paid family leave, and quality, affordable, universal health care,” said Leslie Sadowski-Fugitt, Village of Downers Grove Commissioner.
“As a proud Union member and a Trustee in Winfield Township, I know that Sean always has the back of working people and I’m proud to endorse him for re-election,” said Shawn Hacker, Winfield Township Trustee.
“Sean Casten has been hard-working, digging into the details, and making sure all his constituents are well represented. He makes himself available to hear what the citizens are concerned about through his countless town halls and is a true steward of his community. I am honored to endorse him,” said Erin Micklo, Glen Ellyn Library Trustee.
“Sean is a smart, passionate, and transparent Congressman. He and his staff provide an unparalleled level of service to our district day in and day out and I’m proud to endorse him for re-election,” said Christopher Espinoza, District 99 School Board.
“As a member of the School Board, I know that Sean Casten truly cares about our students, teachers, and staff. He is smart and understands the breadth of issues like few do. I believe in Representative Casten and am honored to support him,” said Joanna Drexler, District 99 School Board.
“Illinoisians deserve someone like Sean Casten who will be a fighter and an advocate for women and families and I’m proud to endorse him,” said Marcie Love, founder of Personal PAC.
“Sean Casten’s dedication and support of local communities make him the ideal choice to represent us in Congress. We can count on him to deliver results for working families,” said Kim Savage, Former Chair of Downers Grove Democrats.
“Sean Casten can be counted on to be an advocate for women throughout the 6th District and has never hesitated to stand up for women’s rights in Congress. I’m proud to endorse him,” said Chris Hotchkin, Community Activist.
“Sean Casten’s unrelenting dedication to science, fact-based policymaking, and to his constituents are just a few of the reasons why we’re so lucky to have him represent us in Congress. We’re proud to endorse him,” said Dianne McGuire and Fred Greenwood, Community Activists.
“Working closely with Sean, I know how he has helped our schools and our communities respond and adapt to new problems in our community, like COVID-19. His transparent leadership and problem-solving skills are needed now more than ever. I am proud to endorse Sean Casten to keep working for us,” said Robert Bruno, Professor, School of Labor and Employment Relations, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“Sean Casten is the only candidate in this race who is strong on Israel and all of the other issues we prioritize, including women’s rights and environmental issues. We cannot afford to lose Sean’s voice in Congress,” said Steve Sheffey and Dana Gordon, Community Activists.
“Sean Casten has proven time and time again that he prioritizes transparency and accessibility, as evident by the countless town halls, roundtables, and meetings he has hosted. That’s the kind of leader the 6th District deserves, and that’s why I’m endorsing him for re-election,” said Flo Appel, Community Activist.
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Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
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