Hi John,
Just 67 days until the general election! The Freethought Equality Fund has endorsed allied candidates who are making a difference in Illinois and Indiana and deserve your support. Marie Newman defeated the anti-choice incumbent in the Democratic primary on March 17, and with a general election win, will provide a progressive voice for Illinois' 3rd Congressional District. Corinne Pierog, Seth Wiggins, and Laura Fred-Smith are fighting to win seats currently held by Republicans, and Sue Errington is running for re-election to continue her fight for secular government and evidence-based public policy. You can see their bios below, and all our 2020 endorsed candidates here.
Marie Newman is running for Congress in the Illinois 3rd Congressional District. In the March 17 Democratic primary, Newman defeated the incumbent, Dan Lipinski, with 47% of the vote. Newman has worked in advertising, consulting, and nonprofit advocacy. Her advocacy work includes anti-bullying policies and programs, health care rights, income equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and common-sense gun safety. She is “running for Congress because we finally need to address ‘everybody’s everyday’ to drive innovation and invest in our people, infrastructure, mass transportation, jobs, training, and growing an ever greener economy.” Newman is Catholic and a member of a multi-faith household. She is an ally of the atheist and humanist community.
Corinne Pierog is running for the Kane County (Illinois) Board Chair. In the March 17 Democratic primary, Pierog won with over 70% of the vote. She has provided extensive service to her community including in the areas of empowering seniors to live independently, increasing quality educational opportunities, and expanding economic development. Pieorg believes we “must bring our community together to discuss shared concerns and shared opportunities” to ensure the county’s future. Her policy goals include developing and implementing best practices with regard to sustainable economic development, renewable energy, water conservation, and public and alternative transportation. Pierog is Catholic and an ally of the atheist and humanist community.
Seth Wiggins is the Democratic candidate running for the Illinois General Assembly in District 90. He is a United States Air Force veteran who served in Afghanistan and is currently a member of the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He used the G.I. Bill to finish his undergraduate degree in Political Science with an emphasis on Public Law and later attended law school, graduating cum laude. He began his career as a criminal prosecutor in Winnebago County, Illinois and now practices various areas of civil law, criminal defense, and appeals. His policy priorities include ensuring that teachers are adequately compensated and that every child receives a quality public education; increasing access to affordable health care; adequately funding and removing the stigma from mental health care; investing in public transportation options; ensuring our workforce has fair wages and benefits; and addressing the substance abuse crisis with treatment rather than incarceration. Wiggins does not practice religion but has respect for each person’s choice of beliefs. He strongly supports the separation of Church and State in all matters of public policy and governance.
Sue Errington is running for re-election to the Indiana State House in District 34. She was unopposed in the June 2 Democratic primary. Elected to the House in 2012, she previously served on the Delaware County Council and the Indiana State Senate. Additionally, Errington taught Spanish at Ball State University and served 17 years as the Public Policy Director for Planned Parenthood of Indiana. She has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation to improve the public schools, strengthen Indiana’s sexual assault statute, legalize medical marijuana, protect the environment, and promote pay equity for women and minorities. She is the ranking minority member on the Environmental Affairs Committee and is the Vice Chair on the Statutory Committee on Ethics. Sue is also the Indiana Lead for the National Conference of Environmental Legislators (NCEL). Errington is a Unitarian Universalist and an ally of the secular community.
Laura Fred-Smith is running for election to the Indiana State Senate in District 18. Fred-Smith is a lifelong resident of Cass County, a longtime public educator, and suicide prevention expert who believes that large-scale investments in Indiana’s infrastructure is key to a better future. Her plans include implementing evidence-based testing practices to Indiana’s public schools, significantly raising teacher salaries and the state minimum wage, expanding broadband Internet access, and reducing Indiana’s high maternal mortality rates. After decades of one-party dominance and stagnant public policy, Fred-Smith will bring her expertise to build a more supportive government that puts its citizens’ needs first. She was raised Methodist, but now focuses on meditation and spirituality. Fred-Smith is an ally of the atheist and humanist community.
You can see all our 2020 endorsed candidates here.
Thank you for your membership and support.
Sincerely,
Ron Millar
PAC Coordinator
This message is for the sole use of members of the Center for Freethought Equality. The mission of the Freethought Equality Fund (FEF) is to achieve equality for the nontheist community by increasing the number of open humanists and atheists, and allies, in public office at all levels of government. The FEF is affiliated with the Center for Freethought Equality, which is the advocacy and political arm of the American Humanist Association. Donations to the Center for Freethought Equality, Freethought Equality Fund and our endorsed candidates are voluntary and are not tax deductible.
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