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Andrew Rowlas
Andrew Rowlas ran for election to the Chicago City Council to represent Ward 50 in Illinois. He lost in the general election on February 26, 2019.
Rowlas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2019
See also: City elections in Chicago, Illinois (2019)
General election
General election for Chicago City Council Ward 50
Incumbent Debra Silverstein defeated Andrew Rowlas and Zehra Quadri in the general election for Chicago City Council Ward 50 on February 26, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Debra Silverstein (Nonpartisan) | 65.8 | 6,014 |
 | Andrew Rowlas (Nonpartisan)  | 18.4 | 1,678 | |
| Zehra Quadri (Nonpartisan) | 15.8 | 1,442 | ||
| Total votes: 9,134 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Majid Mustafa (Nonpartisan)
Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andrew Rowlas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rowlas' responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Economic planning and development in the ward with community input 2. Establish participatory budgeting in the ward with menu money 3. Create a pan-cultural community arts center 4. Address gentrification and the need for affordable housing fr all social-economic families 5.Support high quality neighborhood public schools
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am a retired public school educator (38 years) and I want to see increased funding and services in our neighborhood schools. I am against charter schools which take needed funds away from our public schools. I also want to see more economic development in our ward to make it into a viable place for our residents economically and socially.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
We have several progressive aldermen in our Chicago City Council whom I admire for their community involvement and proactive positions in getting their community involved in civic policies Though the position of ward alderman is considered a part-time job these aldermen have made this a full-time service job.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I think FDR's "Second Bill of Rights" (also referred to as the "Economic Bill of Rights") has made a great impression on me. The United States is the wealthiest nation in history and we need to address the many inequalities that exist so that each individual can attain optimal dignity in our democracy.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The most important characteristics or guiding principles for an aldermen are humility, honesty, responsiveness, altruism and caring for the well-being and welfare of all citizens.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I am honest and conscientious. I see an elected official as a public servant who must always remember that s/he is an elected official who serves the best interest of the public. I work hard. I grew up in a small city where we had a strong civic and economic center and our elected officials were accessible to everyone.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe it is important to try to engage the public as much as possible in our civic discussion. Too often they are not encouraged to become involved and when they are it is in a peripheral way. We need to assure residents of quality services in our ward. We need to represent their needs as accurately to the whole city and in a principled manner work for the common good. The alderman needs to be accessible to everyone, listen learn and lead. The alderman needs to involve residents in solutions and the work of the ward for the common good.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I would like my legacy to be that i served my community well, encouraged more civic engagement, was fair and respectful and that i set an example of what public service can and should be. I have seen too many elected officials think they are the office and lose sight that they are elected to this office and serve the public's common good. I think there needs to be reasonable term limits for many public offices.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first historical event that really impressed me was when i saw on television my first presidential inauguration and the solemnity of this occasion on my consciousness of patriotism and public service. i was about 8 or 9 years old at the time. We were given the afternoon off from school to watch it on television and talked about it the next day at school.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My first full-time job was as a school counselor in an Indiana public school system. I held the job for three years when i decided to return to graduate school and work on a doctorate. I have served in positions of leadership throughout my career.
What happened on your most awkward date?
I think on my most awkward date i was somewhat nervous and talked too much. i was young, inexperienced and wanting to make a good impression.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
When i was a youngster Christmas was my favorite holiday. As i grew up I realized that Easter was the most important holiday in my faith. I grew up as Greek Orthodox and the theology and philosophy of my religion has special importance and meaning to me personally. Easter is the "Great Passover" in which Death is conquered.
What is your favorite book? Why?
I have many favorite books. I guess one of the earliest ones is Doctor Zhivago. I liked it because the author Boris Pasternak showed both on a grand scale and a personal level how society, politics and social movements can influence people's lives.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I would want to be Zorba the Greek because i admired his zest for life and its fullness. He was a character who embraced life and could show his emotions openly and freely. he seemed like a genuine person even with flaws.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My favorite things in my home are my pets. They are a responsibility which I take seriously and am deeply rewarded from their loyalty and honestly.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
I cannot think of the last song that got stuck in my head. i am more of a visual appreciator of the arts and have had difficulty remembering songs and lyrics.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
My parents worked hard to make a living for our family but my father suffered a heart attack when i was a youngster. This impaired somewhat his ability to and my mother went to work in our family business. Though I now believe I am economically secure and blessed it was a struggle for me growing up to want to be independent and secure. i also wanted to find a profession in which I loved my work but which could offer some financial security.
Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?
Every alderman serves on various city council committees. I think it is important to communicate to residents what items are discussed and proposed in the committees in which s/he serves and how this impacts them as well as important other issues before the city council. Too often residents are left in the dark concerning legislation that will impact them without their advice. The Chicago City Council is not the most democratic institution and often does not serve the public as best as it can but rather the vested interests of big business.
What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?
The most helpful skills or expertise a city alderman to possess are to be patient, to be a good listener who takes all concerns seriously and can reflect an understanding and respect for the resident, to have the ability to engage citizens more in their civic responsibilities at every age level, to be engaged himself in the community affairs in s meaningful and sincere manner, to be conscientious in fulfilling the duties of this elected office.
What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?
The unique and important qualities of the office of alderman are that this elected official is the front-line representative for the people in the ward and thus has a greater responsibility to serve the local needs. This has to balanced with the city's common good. The alderman has an obligation to encourage civic engagement with local residents and empower them to be more active and involved. One way is to implement participatory budgeting with the annual menu money which each ward receives and allow residents to decide how to spend it. Currently, this is not done.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?
No. I believe that in any job there is a learning curve but if one is dedicated and conscientious s/he can learn it well. I would not be entering this job without some leadership experience from my involvement in community activities and volunteer work as well as my professional career.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
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