While there are many candidates running to be our next 7th District congressman, only one stands out from the crowd as the clear choice for Oak Park: La Shawn K. Ford. Amid a field of centrists and candidates beholden to dark money, La Shawn sets himself apart as a truly experienced progressive who will put us, the people, first.
In his time in the state legislature, he has been one of its most productive members, passing over 100 bills. From climate justice (like the Clean and Equitable Jobs Act) to criminal justice reform, he has always worked to improve the lives of the people of Illinois, no matter who they are. He has done so even when he knew he would incur the wrath of groups like Big Crypto, which are now spending millions to smear him because he dared to stand up to them and pass protections against their predatory practices.
This is the fighter we need in Washington. A congressman who will be boldly progressive and willing to stand up for Oak Park and Chicago against corporate interests. It is the grim reality that some of his opponents have been wholly bought and paid for by special interest groups. As Donald Trump and his oligarchs wreak havoc on our country, we cannot afford to send a compromised representative to Congress. We need a fighter with strong values and integrity who answers only to the people.
La Shawn will fight tooth and nail every day for us in Oak Park and every corner of the 7th District. He will be a Congressman who will fight for universal health care, abolishing ICE, criminal justice reform, bold climate action, protecting our democracy, and a foreign policy rooted in human rights.
Next Tuesday, I will be voting for La Shawn Ford, and I ask that you, my neighbors, do so too.
Thomas Stokes
Oak Park
