Chicago City Wire

Ammie Kessem argues Rep. Robert Martwick (D-Chicago) seems chiefly concerned with governing for just one person.

“From the beginning of my campaign, I have shown examples, time and time again, of how my opponent has failed to be representative of his constituents,” Kessem told Chicago City Wire of Martwick, who she is set to face off against for the 9th District's House seat in November’s general election. “From an ever increasing income tax hike, to his failure to stand with the citizens of the Jefferson Park neighborhood regarding a public housing project high rise to now his complete and blatant disregard for their immensely passionate appeal not to re-elect Mike Madigan as Speaker of the House, Robert Martwick has failed to speak up for the citizens of his district.”

Now the longest-tenured Democratic chairman in state history, Madigan’s re-election last month was solidified even as a still-simmering sexual harassment and abuse scandal gripped his office, forcing the ouster of two of his campaign associates and triggering demands for Madigan himself to step down over his handling of the situation.

Ammie Kessem

In addition to all that chaos, Madigan’s running feud with Gov. Bruce Rauner is well-documented and shows no signs of subsiding.

“It is politicians like Robert Martwick and his failure to truly represent the people, that is why so many voters have become disenfranchised by the entire democratic process,” Kessem added. “This past month's election is a perfect example of this. It was one of the smallest voter turnouts in decades. We have to do better for our citizens. We have to give them a voice and I intend to hold my opponent accountable for that failure.”

Kessem said she believes Democrats only rallied behind Madigan in the primary vote because they started to feel growing pressure from the many politically connected union leaders that support him.

“My belief is that there is immense pressure on politicians in this state placed upon them by large campaign donators such as the SEIU, AFSCME, and CTU,” she said. “Organizations such as these support and foster an environment in which they want individuals to depend on them and the government for their daily subsistence. Without this hunger, these organizations would not have nearly the kind of power that they have to control the masses and ultimately their socialistic agendas.”

Once in Springfield, Kessem said she plans to fight Madigan every step of the way.

“This man has had tremendous power and control over this state and its financial failures for far too long and it’s time to bring this to a halt immediately,” she said.

The 19th House District includes parts of Chicago's Northwest Side as well as Norridge and Harwood Heights.