Tammy Duckworth
(Democrat)
America, Stronger
U.S. Senator from Illinois since 2011
BackgroundWhen Duckworth was elected to the Senate in 2011 (with the outspoken support of rival presidential candidate Barack Obama) she was immediately seen as a Presidential contender for 2016. The disabled Iraq War veteran was to the left of Clinton, and therefore could appeal to Democrats who were upset with some of the more moderate positions of President Rodham Clinton. An immigrant, she appeals to immigrant families as well as veteran families and the progressive left. She believes she can form the widest coalition.
Announcement"I stand before you, in the greatest city in the world, Chicago, to officially announce my candidacy for President of the United States! This country has made a lot of progress over the last eight years, and we can't let radical Republicans like Ted Cruz and John Kasich tear it up! We must take care of our veteran families, who have sacrificed so much for this country. We must have comprehensive immigration reform - and in my first 100 days in office, I'll get it done! We'll finish the job Hillary started by repealing the Hyde Amendment. And we'll keep the economy growing strong!
My friends, I know what it means to sacrifice. But nothing compares to the sacrifice of Americans who serve this country and come home to too little help from the VA. Which is why I will cut defense spending and move the savings into the VA!
PeopleCampaign staffDuckworth has Kaitlin Fahey as her campaign manager and chief of staff, Ben Rhodeside as her policy director, Ben Gash Garmisa as her communications director and spokesman, and Kalina Balakov as Chair of the campaign.
