A Northwestern University graduate student has announced he’s seeking to run on the Green Party ticket in the 18th District Illinois State House race this fall.
Daniel Trujillo, a student in the Philosophy Department at NU, describes himself as a second generation Mexican American.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in Philosophy.
In 2015 he was elected to serve as the Policy Council PACE Representative for the District 65 Early Childhood Center.
Trujillo, a father of six, says he’s concerned about the underfunding of pre-k through 12 education, healthcare, and human services.
He also says failed state budgets, campaign finance reform and reform of the tax code are issues he plans to focus on in the campaign.
While Trujillo is listed as a candidate on the Illinois Green Party’s website, his campaign manager didn’t respond this morning to an email inquiry about whether he’s collected sufficient petition signatures yet to appear on the ballot.
He filed a statement of organization for his campaign committee earlier this month and has not yet reported any contributions to his campaign.
Rep. Robyn Gabel (D-Evanston) is seeking her fifth full term in the legislature after being appointed to the post in 2010. In 2016 she drew 64 percent of the vote in defeating Republican Jessica Tucker.
She is also facing a challenge this year from Republican Julie Cho.
Update 1:05 p.m.: Molly Laatsch, press secretary for Trujillo’s campaign, says he’s now about one-third of the way to having collected enough signatures to appear on the November election ballot.
Trujillo’s petition will be challenged. Watch
Guarantee it that Democrat supporters will challenge Trujillo’s petition and have him thrown off the ballot.
Robyn Gabel, a former health care lobbyist, ran unopposed in her first general election in 2010 after her challenger, Libertarian candidate, Steve Funk, was thrown off the ballot. Susan Greene, of 922 Asbury Ave., who runs the health-care consulting firm, Susan Greene & Associates, filed the objection to Libertarian Steve Funk’s petitions with the State Board of Elections. Funk submitted over 3,300 petition signatures. The minimum number of valid signatures required was 2,561.
One month later, the Cook County Electoral Board ruled that Funk submitted 2,231 valid petition signatures, 230 short of the requirement, and ordered that his name not appear on the ballot for the general election.
Trujillo, take note and have a lawyer ready.
Watch Madigan
Robyn Gabel has been a loyal State Representative to Mike Madigan. When Madigan needs a vote, he knows he can count on Gabel.
If Madigan thinks or perceives that Gabel’s re-election will be in jeopardy due to Trujillo’s presence on the November ballot he will do anything
and everything to eliminate Trujillo.
I look forward to meeting Daniel Trujillo and Julie Cho and learning about their experiences, perspectives and priorities.
Robyn Gabel has already revealed her loyalty to Madigan.
TP