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Local gay activist announces state Senate campaign by Joseph Erbentraut
EDGE ContributorWednesday Jul 15, 2009Activist and former Lambda Legal staff attorney Jim Madigan announced to the Windy City Times late last month he will run for the state Senate next year.
The decision to challenge incumbent Heather Steans, another Democrat, for the Seventh District seat (on Chicago’s north side that includes parts of Uptown, Edgewater and Rogers Parks) came as a surprise to some. The step into the political arena has been on Madigan’s mind for some time in spite perceived obstacles.
"I’ve always thought that a political life would be an amazing opportunity, but to be honest, the cards I was dealt with are not what usually lend themselves to that," Madigan, 35, who lives in Buena Park, shared with EDGE. "I was born to a family without a lot of money and I’m gay, so I didn’t think these made for the best credentials for running for office."
On the contrary, Madigan’s resume is not short on credentials. In addition to his work with Equality Illinois--he stepped down as the group’s interim executive director to campaign--and Lambda Legal, he has spent many years as a lecturer and adjunct professor at the University of Chicago and other law schools. Madigan also served on the host committee for an LGBT fundraiser for President Obama.
The candidate was quick to note that despite his identity and experience working closely with the LGBT community, he would serve everyone in his district. His platform pays particular attention to the needs of working class residents, a purposeful decision central to his decision to run for the seat.
"Like other Chicago democrats, I was disheartened because we sent this amazing man to help change the nation from Chicago and yet we seem incapable of cleaning up our own backyard," he said. "We have Senate seats being handed off for the right price and we’re supposed to be the party of the people ... I want to run as a candidate who embodies the working classes in Chicago."
"It’s important for this upcoming election that we have a real choice, a robust dialogue, and that we talk about the really important credentials in who represents [the district’s] interests." In the latter part of his quote, Madigan is assumedly referencing Steans, whom he has previously criticized for making a $170,000 donation to former Gov. Rod Blagojevich before she became a senator. Steans responded by stating the assertions were based on "faulty facts", but Madigan stood by them.
"It’s important for this upcoming election that we have a real choice, a robust dialogue, and that we talk about the really important credentials in who represents [the district’s] interests. That’s the only reason that I raised those issues," Madigan stated. "That doesn’t mean [Steans] is a bad person, or that she’s a bad democrat, we just have a different set of life experiences and credentials to bring to the job, a different vision."
Should Madigan win the race, he would become Illinois’ first openly gay state senator, an honor he said greatly excited him. His allegiance to the area’s heavy LGBT population is notable in his choice of chief of staff - June LaTrobe, who formerly served as the Center on Halsted’s transgender liaison.
"June has been an amazing resource for the transgender and LGBT seniors community, and is incredibly hardworking: That is why I chose her," he continued. "We’re going to win and when we do it, it will be thanks in large measure to the work of people like June."
Madigan remains optimistic about his prospects.
"I think it would be a milestone for our community, that’s why this is not just about me, but about the community and our voice being heard in a more productive way in the halls of Springfield," he said.
Log onto www.jimmadigan.com for more information.
Joseph covers news, arts and entertainment and lives in Chicago.
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