Candidate for 1st Congressional District wants people to give her a chance
Philanise White is a Republican running for the 1st Congressional District. Photo provided by Philanise White.
Candidate for 1st Congressional District wants people to give her a chance
By Tia Carol Jones
Philanise White grew up on the South side of Chicago and served as 7th Ward Committeewoman from 2016 to 2020. White also is a mother of two and has a degree in criminal justice and sociology.
White’s passion for politics started when she volunteered for a 7th Ward alderman. She wanted to learn more about politics and ran for committeeman in that ward. She first ran as a Republican candidate for the 1st Congressional District in 2020.
White is running for United State Congress after working in healthcare for 30 years and understanding how important issues like affordable healthcare are to the constituents in the 1st District. She believes her experience, as well as being active in her community, makes her a viable candidate for the office.
White sees herself in the constituents in the District and sees the parallel in the concerns they have and the concerns she has. She believes she has the educational aspects that it takes to serve in the role of Congresswoman.
White has been going door to door and meeting people and she understands what is going on in the community.
“I just think I beat the odds, I ran in 2020, where I took 60% of the Will County votes, 42% of the Southern Cook County votes. I think I made a grand move on that,” she said.
White mentioned that Oscar DePriest, the first African American to be elected to Congress in the 20th Century, was also a Republican. She believes the only difference in her running is that she is a Black woman. She wants people to give her a chance. She acknowledged there are people in elected office, who have been given a chance, who have been in office for years and the outcome hasn’t been the best. She wants the opportunity to prove she is the right person for the role.
From her 2020 campaign for 1st Congressional District, she learned that politics is a blood sport. She also learned that it is imperative to get out and talk to people. She added, that is the best way to build a rapport with constituents. Now she knows what it takes to run for Congress. She was inspired to run again this time based on the outcome of her first campaign. She believes she can get elected too. White acknowledged that while there has always been gun violence, the guns are getting into the wrong hands. She believes there should be a solution, but the solution is not to take away the Second Amendment. She is for Pro-Life and believes that what a woman does with her body is between her and God.
White wants abandoned buildings in the District to be demolished and the banks, the landlords and the city need to be held accountable. She also suggested a program where young people could learn how to rehab and build houses, they would gain a skilled trade and the houses would no longer be a safety concern.
One issue White is passionate about is the fentanyl crisis. She believes opioids and fentanyl use needs to be addressed. She lost her sister to fentanyl use.
“I think what the 1st Congressional District needs is a new choice and a better way. I think we need fresh eyes, we need fresh ideas and we need a different approach. We need someone that actually cares about the 1st Congressional District,” she said.
For more information about Philanise White and her campaign, visit philaniseforcongress.com, or email friendsforphilanisewhite@gmail.com.
Latest Stories
- CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators
- COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL TAKES CENTER STAGE AS SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY UNITES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
- RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR CALVIN JORDAN LEADS HEARTWARMING SPRING CELEBRATION FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH “EASTER JAMBOREE” CELEBRATION
- Local Musician’s Career Spans 50 Years
- Have Questions About Money? The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office Can Help
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
