Our Candidates

Meet the democratic candidates running in the upcoming 2024 election.

Federal

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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.

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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.

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ERIC SORENSEN

17th Congressional District

Congressman Eric Sorensen was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois.

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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

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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.

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Citizens in the Rockford-based 34th District elected him with 64 percent of the vote in 2012, and his public policy achievements have twice since earned him recognition as Legislator of the Year. In his freshman year, Stadelman passed a bill to upgrade local youth sports facilities after first resolving a longstanding disagreement between the Rockford Park District and local union leaders over responsible bidding practices. Subsequent efforts protected consumers, patients, abuse victims and students. In 2019, Stadelman prevailed on two key economic initiatives that had been stalled for years: He co-sponsored and helped pass legislation to allow a casino in Rockford and secured $275 million toward development of passenger rail between Chicago and Rockford.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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Mr. Vella’s family has a long history of public service and community engagement. Dave, his wife Michelle, and their two children live in Rockford, where Mr. Vella is the managing partner of Vella & Lund, PC and a Rockford Township Trustee. He also has served on numerous community boards, including the Literacy Council and Keith Country Day School. Dave’s grandfather, E.J. “Zeke” Giorgi, served the Rockford area as State Representative for almost 30 years. Dave is focusing his campaign on working people, meaning he wants to bring good-paying jobs to the Rockford area, ensure schools have enough resources, and reduce crime. You can read more about Dave’s positions at his website.

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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.

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In 2022 he started the effort to eliminate all sales taxes on food, medicine, and medical appliances in the State of Illinois.Peter has been a marketing research analyst at an accounting firm and later a telecommunications products designer. In 2002, Peter started a business in architectural historic restoration. Peter has served on the McHenry County Historic Preservation Commission and the Board of Directors of the Preservation Trades Network, a national non-profit organization which provides education, networking and outreach for the traditional building trades. Peter prioritizes economic development, rural broadband, proper representation for working families, and affordable healthcare as priorities for the 69th district.

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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.

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In this role, he oversees all legal matters for the City, including litigation, collective bargaining, and blight reduction. He has successfully led the City’s efforts to increase property values and save taxpayers money by removing dilapidated buildings and enforcing code violations.​ Meyer has a strong background in both civil and criminal law, having worked for the private and public sectors for over 15 years. He began his career as a public defender in the Winnebago County Public Defender’s Office, where he defended clients in various criminal cases. He then spent eight years in private practice, handling a wide range of civil cases such as personal injury, family, and labor law.

County

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BILL CROWLEY

Winnebago County Auditor

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JAIME SALGADO

County Board District 12

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ANGIE GORAL

County Board District 13 

I am very qualified for this position to help bring Winnebago County forward into the next decade. 

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I currently serve on the following committees: Winnebago County Health Department Board, Zoning and Planning, Policy and Personnel, Safety and I Chair the River Bluff Advisory Committee.  I have been an advocate for mental and Behavioral health for adolescents and all others for a healthier community. An advocate for economic development by educating a strong workforce. Knowledge of Community. Work with all Elected Officials.  Committed to voters to be Professional, Responsible, Ethical and Positive.

Fall family photos in Rockford IL on a beautiful November afternoon by Mindy Joy Photography.

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.

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VALERIE HANSERD

Winnebago County District 18

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ANGELA FELLARS

County Board District 19