Coalition to End ‘Business as Usual’ in Springfield in Position of Strength
Chicago - Ram Villivalam will have the top spot on the ballot for the 8th State Senate District Democratic nomination and his campaign heads toward the March 20th election full steam ahead, having racked up weighty endorsements, attracted scores of volunteers to his grassroots movement for change, and with a healthy store of resources.
The ballot order was finalized today by the Illinois Board of Elections following a petition challenge period.
“Our more than 100 grassroots volunteers and I have been and will continue to be laser-focused on listening to voters in our community, and the message that we have heard loud and clear is people believe Springfield has been a mess, they want a change, and they want progressive, effective representation,” said Villivalam, former SEIU organizer.
“The people of our district want someone—unlike the current 20-year incumbent—who will be a trusted progressive leader who fights for lowering taxes for middle class families, reducing gun violence in our communities, raising the minimum wage, and ensuring equitable education funding.”
On November 27th, Villivalam filed 2,700 petition signatures, more than double the amount needed to appear on the ballot and collected in a scant few weeks by a dedicated group of volunteers. The Board of Elections promptly certified his candidacy.
Meanwhile, on Jan. 16, Villivalam reported having raised $133,327 in less than seven weeks. Villivalam outraised the longtime incumbent from the district in the 4th quarter by more than a 4-to-1 margin and any other challenger by at least a 5-to-1 margin.
Villivalam has been endorsed by U.S Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, U.S. Congressman Mike Quigley, U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Fmr. Gubernatorial Candidate & Alderman Ameya Pawar, State Senator Laura Murphy, State Senator Omar Aquino, State Representative Theresa Mah, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Commissioner Josina Morita, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the Sierra Club, the UAW Illinois, Illinois State Association of Letter Carriers, Local UFCW 881, SEIU Illinois State Council, National Nurses United, Our Revolution Illinois, Reclaim Chicago, Equality Illinois PAC, Northside Democracy for America, Citizen Action Illinois, and the Indo-American Democratic Organization.
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About Ram:
Ram Villivalam most recently worked as Legislative Coordinator for SEIU Healthcare Illinois & Indiana, advocating for more than 90,000 Home Care Providers, Child Care Providers, Nursing Home Workers, Hospital Workers, and the people for whom they care. Previously, Ram served as the Outreach Director for U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider, working with manufacturing organizations, unions, immigration groups, and community colleges on more than 20 policy areas. Ram serves on the Board of the Gun Violence Prevention PAC and as President of the Indo-American Democratic Organization. A child of immigrants, Ram was born and raised on the Northwest side and attended Chicago Public Schools. Ram and his wife, Elizabeth, live in the Mayfair neighborhood on the Northwest side of Chicago. (www.ramforsenate.com).