Ammie Kessem got the chance to exchange some thoughts with attorney general hopeful Erika Harold recently.
“We talked about why we are running,” Kessem, who is running for state representative from District 19 against incumbent Robert Martwick (D-Chicago), told Chicago City Wire.
Kessem has 18 years of experience as a Chicago police officer and is running on a platform of tax relief and financial reform.
Kessem attended a "meet the candidate" event and fundraiser for Harold on Oct. 16 in Winnetka. Bob Dold, Blair Garber and Mark Levine were some other notables who attended.
Kessem said Gov. Bruce Rauner, who also came by, stressed the need to get nine critical seats in the Legislature in upcoming elections.
She and two other candidates also got to address the audience.
In general, Kessem said, a groundswell of grassroots political interest has brought her and others like her to the political table. They are people who were not previously engaged in politics but have been active in the community.
“It's a major force to be reckoned with,” Kessem said. “We’re average citizens in the community. We’re not career politicians. We don't owe anybody anything.”
Stressing the idea that Illinois needs change, Kessem said real interest in helping residents goes a long way.
“This isn't your father's Republican Party,” Kessem said.
Kessem also discussed some recurring themes that are important to the community as she continues to reach out to local residents.
Expanding on her prior comments about an exodus from the Chicago area, Kessem talked about how some career professionals are even retiring early to move out of state.
“People are done,” Kessem said, describing common grievances with high property taxes and other kinds of taxation in areas like Chicago and Cook County. Kessem said it’s crucial to get the state headed in a new direction.
District 19 encompasses parts of Chicago and Harwood Heights.
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