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Ammie Kessem

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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Ammie Kessem
Image of Ammie Kessem

Republican Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 6, 2018

Education

Bachelor's

Dominican University

Personal
Profession
Law enforcement
Contact

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal Twitter

Ammie Kessem (Republican Party) ran for election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent District 19. Kessem lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.

Kessem completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Ammie Kessem was born and lives in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a bachelor's degree in American studies, sociology, and business administration from Dominican University in 1998. Kessem’s career experience includes working as a police tactical officer for the Chicago Policy Department. She led the implementation of the Gang Intervention Probation Program (GIPP), which was formed to "deter individuals placed in the program from additional criminal gang activity by enforcing the conditions of their probation."[1] GIPP was implemented conjunctively with the Cook County State’s Attorney Office and Cook County Probation Department.[2][3]

Elections

2018

See also: Illinois House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Illinois House of Representatives District 19

Incumbent Robert Martwick defeated Ammie Kessem in the general election for Illinois House of Representatives District 19 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Robert Martwick
Robert Martwick (D)
 
60.7
 
21,389
Image of Ammie Kessem
Ammie Kessem (R) Candidate Connection
 
39.3
 
13,852

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 35,241
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 19

Incumbent Robert Martwick defeated Jeffrey Laporte in the Democratic primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 19 on March 20, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Robert Martwick
Robert Martwick
 
67.2
 
9,332
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Jeffrey Laporte
 
32.8
 
4,563

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 13,895
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 19

Ammie Kessem advanced from the Republican primary for Illinois House of Representatives District 19 on March 20, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Ammie Kessem
Ammie Kessem Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
2,637

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.

Total votes: 2,637
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.


Campaign themes

2018

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's candidate surveys
Candidate Connection

Ammie Kessem participated in Ballotpedia's candidate survey on September 19, 2018. The survey questions appear in bold, and Ammie Kessem's responses follow below.[4]

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

“ Hard 1% cap on Property taxes.

Lower State I come taxes back down to 3%.
Cut wasteful spending by elimating duplicative units of government of which there are over 7000 in the state of Illinois.[5][6]

”

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about? Why?

“ Lower taxes and smaller government. Cut out all the red tape and regulations so that Illinois can be a competitive state and attract more business. Currently our state GDP falls far behind the national GDP. Which essentially means that illinoisians are losing buying power and are becoming poorer and poorer.Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; invalid names, e.g. too many[6] ”

Ballotpedia also asked the candidate a series of optional questions. Ammie Kessem answered the following:

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow and why?

“ Former Mayor Jane Byrne was one of my childhood role models. She was a class act and really connected with those she served. She loved our First Responders and treated them with the level of respect they deserved. It was my childhood dream to follow in her footsteps and become Mayor of Chicago some day.[6] ”
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else that best describes your political philosophy?
“ I would highly recommend reading some of the many articles that are published by the Illinois Policy Institute. Their scholars and staff are extremely well versed in the issues that are affecting our state. They understand the causes and are brilliant at helping to come up with solutions.[6] ”
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
“ Honesty and a willingness to serve their fellow man and woman without the need for accolades.[6] ”
What qualities do you possess that would make you a successful officeholder?
“ Determination and a high sense of pride when it comes to my work ethic.[6] ”
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
“ To truly listen to the people that you serve. They are those responsible for your election. Unfortunately, too many politicians lose sight of this once they become elected.[6] ”
What legacy would you like to leave?
“ That Illinois becomes a competitive state once again and our economic growth surpasses anyone’s expectations within the next 10 years. I am confident that we can turn things around in Illinois. We have so much to offer. If we can change some of the leadership in Springfield, instead of the same old status quo, we could accomplish so much.[6] ”
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at that time?
“ When President Reagan was shot. I was 4 years old watching cartoons while my mother was in the kitchen preparing dinner and suddenly the breaking news came in. I remember yelling into the kitchen to tell my Mom what had happened.[6] ”
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
“ I began babysitting at 12 years old for a family with 4 young children, of which the youngest was disabled. My Freshman year in high school, I was given the opportunity to work for my parish rectory making $2.25 an hour which was minimum wage back the . I received 2 raises while I worked there; each being an increase of $.25.[6] ”
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
“ St. Valentine’s Day because it is also my Birthday.[6] ”
What is your favorite book? Why?
“ The Bible, for obvious reasons.[6] ”
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
“ My kitchen because that is where we spend most of our family time together.[6] ”
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
“ Accepting the fact that others do not share the same pride in their work ethic. I had a supervisor once remind me that my expectations of others are too high.[6] ”
(For non-Nebraska candidates) What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
“ Michael Madigan[6] ”
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
“ No. In fact I believe that is a disadvantage because most politicians lose sight of what the true goal should be which is being representative of the people.[6] ”

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Chicago Police Department, "Gang Intervention Probation Program," accessed June 23, 2022
  2. ↑ Ammie for 19, "About Ammie," accessed February 8, 2018
  3. ↑ Vote Smart, "Ammie Kessem's Biography," accessed February 8, 2018
  4. ↑ Note: The candidate's answers have been reproduced here verbatim without edits or corrections by Ballotpedia.
  5. ↑ Ballotpedia's candidate survey, "Ammie Kessem's responses," September 19, 2018
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 6.15 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.


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