John,

I get asked a lot about how our district -- a district that hasn’t had a Republican representative in 60 years -- could be held by an anti-choice, anti-LGBTQ, anti-immigrant, anti-health care Democrat.

And it’s a very fair question. 70% of our district is pro-choice, more than 80% believe in LGBTQ equality, and 70% support Medicare for all. We’re a very Democratic district with very progressive values. The only difference is the Chicago machine.

It all started 15 years ago today, John. Today marks the anniversary of Dan Lipinski being gifted this seat by his father, Bill -- or as we’re calling it around the office, “The Last Dan-iversary.”

This is a story everyone needs to hear to believe. When Bill Lipinski, who represented this district for 22 years, decided to retire from office, he must have thought, “Hmm… who, with my same last name could possibly replace me?” After what I’m sure was a long deliberation, Bill thought his son, Dan (who then lived and worked in Tennessee) was a perfect fit.

And here’s the kicker: He waited until August -- just three months before the election -- to announce his retirement and take his name off the ballot. With the full backing of the machine, Dan’s name replaced his and the rest is history.

This is the kind of political trickery that people around here have sadly become used to, but it’s completely unfair and undemocratic -- and this is the team that will finally put an end to it.

In the last election, when it was clear the results would be neck and neck, Dan Lipinski was absolutely indignant that I had the audacity to challenge him. He thinks he’s entitled to this seat, and why wouldn’t he? His dad handed it to him on a silver platter.

Like most people in this district, I’ve had to work hard to earn everything I’ve gotten in my life, and if I’m elected to represent Illinois’ Third District, I promise to work hard every day to fight for progressive values.

Defeating the machine will take a grassroots effort like the Third District has never seen before -- will you chip in to my campaign right now to make this the last Dan-iversary?

Thanks, and happy Dan-iversary!

Marie