Our Candidates
Federal
KAMALA HARRIS
United States President
As the daughter of parents who brought her to civil rights marches in a stroller, she was inspired to tackle injustice from an early age.
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She took that mission to county courtrooms, the California Attorney General’s office, the United States Senate, and the White House. Now she is running for President of the United States to continue protecting our freedoms, delivering justice, and expanding opportunity so that every American can not just get by, but get ahead.
TIM WALZ
United States Vice President
Governor Walz is a champion for America’s working families.
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He enlisted in the Army National Guard when he turned 17 and served for 24 years, rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major. After attending college thanks to the GI Bill, Tim Walz served his community as a high school teacher and football coach – taking his team to the state championship for the first time in the school’s history. He became a member of Congress in a Republican district by representing the needs of farmers and rural America. As Governor, Tim Walz cut taxes for working families, lowered the cost of insulin and eliminated junk fees, and protected women’s right to choose. That experience makes him the ideal running mate for Kamala Harris, who has taken on the big banks, led the fight for reproductive freedom, and stood with our allies against Putin’s aggression during her time as a prosecutor, Attorney General, Senator, and Vice President.
ERIC SORENSEN
17th Congressional District
Congressman Eric Sorensen was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. Expand bio He served communities across Central and Northwestern Illinois as a local TV meteorologist for over two decades, communicating life-saving information that impacted Illinoisans’ jobs, schools, farms, and safety. To Eric, being a meteorologist was about building trust and protecting his community. In Congress, Sorensen still values being a trusted neighbor to the residents of Illinois’ 17th Congressional District. He is focused on lowering costs for working families, creating sustainable jobs in Central and Northwestern Illinois, and supporting the family farms and rural communities that keep our economy moving forward.
State
STEVE STADELMAN
34th State Senate District
Steve Stadelman is an award-winning TV news anchor and father of four who ran for a seat in the Illinois Senate because his experiences as a journalist and parent convinced him of the need for fresh, common-sense representation in Springfield. Expand bio
MAURICE WEST
67th State House District
Maurice A. West II has a B.S. in psychology and sociology from Illinois College and a M.A. from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology in industrial and organizational psychology. Expand bio He is an expert in career and workforce development having worked at Rockford University as the Director of Career Development for five years and Rock Valley College as a Career Counselor for the Dislocated Workers Program for over three years. He is a product of the Rockford Public Schools having graduated from Jefferson High. He is active in his community, founder of Share the Warmth-Rockford, and an ordained minister in his church. He is also an award-winning music composer and founder of TheWESTMelodies. A month before being sworn-in for his first term, Maurice married his beautiful bride, Leslie.
DAVE VELLA
68th State House District
Dave Vella is a local attorney who is running for State Representative in the 68th District, which includes all or part of Loves Park, Machesney Park, Rockford, and Roscoe. Expand bio
PETER JANKO
69th State House District
Throughout his life, Peter has engaged in community service and activism. Peter has been involved in the civil rights, worker’s rights, women’s equality, and ecology movements since high school. Expand bio
NICK MEYER
17th Circuit Court Judge
Nicholas Meyer is an experienced attorney who has served as the City of Rockford as Legal Director since 2017. Expand bio
County
BILL CROWLEY
Winnebago County Auditor
JAIME SALGADO
County Board District 12
ANGIE GORAL
County Board District 13
I am very qualified for this position to help bring Winnebago County forward into the next decade. Expand bio
CHRISTINA VALDEZ
Winnebago County District 16
Christina Valdez is running to represent the 16th District on the Winnebago County Board. Christina believes the priorities for the county are the mental health, public safety, and public infrastructure.
VALERIE HANSERD
Winnebago County District 18