While Schakowsky Campaigns for Clinton, Lasonde Works for the District

By Graham Hooten

The purpose of a Congressional representative is to serve his or her constituency. A federal democracy’s power lies within its ability to give each district a voice in the decisions made within the walls of the Capitol building, to have each concern heard on the House floor. But what happens to the system when serving the people no longer becomes a representative’s ultimate priority?

This is an issue the 9th District faces with Jan Schakowsky. After seventeen years in office, it is clear that our “representative” no longer works with the innate purpose of serving our community. Rather, she spends the majority of her time fundraising and campaigning for the higher electorate, namely Hillary Clinton.

Over the past couple months, Schakowsky has been all over the map giving pro-Clinton speeches in D.C., speaking to Hillary supporters in Milwaukee, even traveling to Iowa for the caucuses this past January. And while this all might be in good intention, Schakowsky has essentially ignored the concerns of her home district in favor of seeking the spotlight.

But Republican Congressional candidate Joan McCarthy Lasonde won’t have the 9th district go unheard. While Jan has been off making calls and sending emails for Clinton (truth be told she needs the help), Joan has been devising a plan for the people of the North Shore that will effectively restore the crumbling Federal support for public transportation in our district. While Jan has been shaking hands and schmoozing officials in Washington, Joan has been going door-to-door in the 9th, speaking with real people about their concerns regarding big government when our national debt is over $19 trillion.

When November comes, it is imperative to ask this question: where does my candidate’s allegiance lie? Joan’s allegiance is right here in Illinois. Jan seems more concerned with helping her buddies in Washington.