1st Congressional District Candidate has built a grassroots campaign

Michael Thompson is a candidate running for the 1st Congressional District. Photo provided by Michael Thompson.
Michael Thompson is a candidate running for the 1st Congressional District. Photo provided by Michael Thompson.

 1st Congressional District Candidate has built a grassroots campaign

By Tia Carol Jones

The candidates for the 1st Congressional District have various backgrounds and experiences. We asked some of them to fill out a questionnaire so that readers can make an informed decisions on Election Day, Tuesday, June 28th .

Citizen Newspaper: Why did you want to run for the 1st Congressional District?

Michael Thompson: I chose to run for the 1st Congressional District because we have an opportunity for something new in our district and our country. Like many in our community, I applaud the work of Congressman Rush and those who came before him. But we are at a moment in history where the issues of our society are at their highest peaks. I am running because as a lifelong resident of the 1st district, I believe the two biggest issues facing our community are a lack of jobs and violent crime. I am running because I believe in the spirit and potential of this district. Violence and poverty are certainly issues in our community, but they are not the totality of our existence. I am running because I believe working together we can re-invest in our institutions and the things that make a community great.

Citizen Newspaper: What do you think makes you a viable candidate for this office?

Michael Thompson: Political wisdom suggests viability is measured by fundraising. But access to capital does not clearly indicate who can run the best campaign or be the best representative. I submit that frugality, prudence, and organizational leadership, can allow someone to build the infrastructure necessary to run a strong grassroots campaign. Leveraging the best practices from our professional careers and learning what we could from people with political experience, we willed ourselves into a viable campaign. We will take that same ingenuity into the office, if elected, to make a change for the district.

Citizen Newspaper: How does your experience in workforce development translate to serving in Congress?

Michael Thompson: Workforce development prepared me to serve in Congress because it allowed me to serve people in various capacities. I do not believe there is one path to the United States House of Representatives. Whether your background is education, law, healthcare, activism, social work, business, or non-profit work, any experience helping people can translate. Workforce development allowed me to engage in all of these areas in various ways. Understanding the disconnect between legislative theory versus how it is applied on the ground will allow me to ensure legislation works properly for people.

Citizen Newspaper: What do you think is the single most important issue in the District?

Michael Thompson: The most important issue is violent crime. But we cannot repeat the mistakes of the past. There is an understandable passion around ensuring justice is served when crime is committed.

But justice is not a system that places people in an endless cycle. The recidivism rate in Illinois prisons is 64%. However, workforce development program participants have a recidivism rate of 15%-45%. This is statistically significant and proves the point that economic opportunity prevents crime. But someone is not ready for employment if they are barriered by poverty and trauma. If we want to solve the issue of crime, we must invest in our schools, our grocery stores, mental health, education and our small businesses.

Citizen Newspaper: How have you engaged the community in the last four years?

Michael Thompson: In the last four years I have worked in the nonprofit sector doing workforce development. In 2018, I worked for an alternative high school as an academic advisor. In 2019, I moved on to Skills for Chicagoland’s Future. I serve on the board for a nonprofit started by my sister called 773 Dance Project. I mentor young men who I coached in football or advised when they were high school students. I support my mother and her school community where she has been a career educator.

Citizen Newspaper: As Congressman, what policies would you enact to solve the District’s most pressing issues?

Michael Thompson: I stated earlier that the most pressing issue in the district is violent crime, but the best deterrent to crime is economic opportunity. Ensuring that federal investment goes to institutions like Chicago State University, community colleges, our public school system, the post office, and a South Suburban Airport are crucial to the effort of creating good paying jobs. We need greater coordination amongst our community champions so that they can have a more systemic impact in our communities. If we can start by addressing homelessness, mental health, and education, we can take full advantage of federal resources when they work properly.

Citizen Newspaper: How important do you think transparency, communication and access to information are as an elected official?

Michael Thompson: Transparency, communication, and access to information is critical. That is why I will have more than just a legislative agenda, I want the community to be educated on the process of passing legislation and creating change. Whether supporting a local project or trying to pass legislation, we will show exactly where we are in the process and why. Additionally, constituent service is a crucial aspect of representation.

Citizen Newspaper: What do you think sets you apart from the other candidates?  
 
Michael Thompson: My ability to learn and grow. Many of the candidates were raised in the district with deep family roots, and I truly believe we all have a spirit for service. But I believe I am the candidate most prepared to learn the job and approach problems creatively. I am prepared and hungry to dive deep into the issues and how they affect us. I am prepared to learn the aspects of our government I do not know yet, and what other candidates probably are not willing to admit they do not know about. Yes, pedigree matters, but ability to develop matters too.

To learn more about Michael Thompson and his campaign, visit votethompson2022.com, www.facebook.com/mathompsonjrjd/, @votethompson2022 on instagram and @mathompson_jr on twitter.

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