About Sara Feigenholtz
A special election for
a Democratic seat
Rahm Emanuel has resigned from the U.S. House to become Barack Obama’s chief of staff, creating excitement among hopefuls eager to win his Chicago-area congressional seat. As many as 15 candidates are running in the March 3 special primary, but the clear standout is state Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, a skilled 14-year veteran of the state House. The fifth district is safely Democratic, so whoever wins the March 3 primary is almost certain to win the April 7 general election. But with only a few weeks to prepare, Feigenholtz must act quickly to build a winning campaign.
A champion for the neediest Americans
Throughout Feigenholtz’s career she has been a dedicated ally to women and families, sponsoring legislation to require insurance companies to cover contraception and to increase access to breast and cervical cancer screening and treatment. She led the fight to expand Illinois’s KidCare health insurance program to cover low-income parents; to increase funding for AIDS treatment; and to provide in-home care for the elderly. Feigenholtz, who cosponsored legislation codifying reproductive rights in Illinois should Roe v. Wade be overturned, earns perfect scores from pro-choice groups for her consistent support for reproductive freedom.
A knock-down, drag-out battle
Chicago politics are rough and tumble, and a safely Democratic open seat is a magnet for ambitious candidates. With a cadre of committed volunteers and thousands of petitioners, Feigenholtz has distinguished herself as a top-tier contender. But this will be a costly and hard-fought election run on a very short timeline. Feigenholtz must raise $1 million in just a few weeks to win this special election and bring her progressive voice to the U.S. House.
February 28, 2009
In 5th C.D. race, Sarah Feigenholtz rings Abdon Pallasch door bell
Chicago Sun Times
