Hi there,

Meteorologist and Democratic nominee for Congress in Rep. Cheri Bustos’ seat (IL-17) here. I hope that you’re having a nice morning this holiday weekend. I’m sipping coffee looking at the birds, and loving every minute of it! 

Between events this week, I was out walking in my neighborhood, reflecting on how we got to this point. I’ve shared many voter stories with you over the course of the campaign:

• Jim, the farmer in Kewanee who didn’t want to sign my petition but after our conversation told me “I think I’ve found a Democrat who makes sense!”
• Betty, the Moline voter who’s expecting me to explain how Congress works, just like I did with the weather. 
• The three farmers and lifelong Republicans who told me that they appreciated that I brought a scientific perspective, not a political one. They told me that they trusted me, that they thought I would actually work for them in Washington, and that they would be voting for me.

But the story that sticks out the most to me is Irene, the voter in Peoria, who, at the time of our conversation, hadn’t decided which party’s ballot she was going to pull for the primary election. So I asked her what she was looking for in her next member of Congress, and she said she was so tired of the bickering, she wants someone who’s guided by values and principles, not politics. I completely agree, and told her that that’s why I’m running as the science-guided candidate! We talked about what it meant to actually “represent” our community, and how important it was to work for the public interest. 

At the end of our conversation, she told me that she now realized how important her vote in our Congressional race was, and said: “I’m so glad you called me, I’m pulling that Democratic ballot so I can vote for YOU!”

That’s what this campaign is all about, talking to voters where they’re at. But more than that, these stories are at the heart of who I am: I’m a communicator. I’m guided by science and I love my community here. I’m proud to have earned their trust. And that’s how we’re going to keep IL-17 blue in November.

Friend, if this is the kind of leadership you’d like to see in Congress, I’d ask that you chip in today: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/es-july-em

- Eric

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Eric Sorensen
Meteorologist | Candidate for Congress (IL-17)
309-306-1717
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