Former Rep. Litesa Wallace, Former TV Meteorologist Jump into 17th District Race
Former Rep. Litesa Wallace, who left the legislature in 2019 after a run for Lt. Governor, announced Wednesday she’s running for congress in the new 17th district next year.
Former Rockford State Representative and 2018 candidate for Lt. Governor, Litesa Wallace, is running in the new 17th Congressional district in 2022.
From a news release:
Educator and former Rockford State Representative Litesa Wallace launched her campaign for Congress today in Illinois’ new Seventeenth Congressional District. Born and raised in Illinois and a 16 year resident of Rockford, Litesa's parents were both public servants. Litesa understands the economic and social challenges facing the communities of the 17th district for whom she’s fiercely advocated throughout her career.
“As a single mom and former legislator, I know the challenges my neighbors face - from finding affordable childcare to the rising cost of food and rent. It’s why as a state legislator I strengthened the childcare assistance program, fought against food insecurity, advocated for affordable housing, and fought for a $15 minimum wage while in the state legislature".
As a three-term Rockford State Representative, Litesa championed measures to reduce violence, expand affordable childcare and mental health care access, strengthen the economy, develop opportunities for women and girls, and extend the River's Edge Historic Tax Credit to help redevelop Peoria and Rockford.
She was then-Sen. Daniel Biss’ running mate for the Democratic nomination for Governor and Lt. Governor in 2018. They finished second behind JB Pritzker and Julianna Stratton.
Also announcing a campaign for congress Wednesday was former Rockford and Quad Cities TV meteorologist Eric Sorensen. From the Rockford Register-Star:
The Rockford native, Boylan High School graduate and former 13 WREX meteorologist has declared his candidacy to represent Illinois’ 17th Congressional District.
Sorensen, a Democrat, hopes to succeed US Rep. Cheri Bustos of Moline, who has announced she is retiring in January 2023 following her fifth term.
“I’m running because I want to continue to be a trusted voice in my community,” Sorensen said. “I want to work for the people here. The people who trust me, the people who know me. I want to seek out the changes we need to make life better because there’s nothing that I’d rather do than work for the people of northern Illinois.”
Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is also considering the race. Republican Esther Joy King is the likely nominee for the GOP. Incumbent Congresswoman Cheri Bustos is not seeking re-election.