David Shestokas

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David Shestokas

Republican Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 28, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

Bradley University, 1975

Law

The John Marshall Law School, 1985

Personal

Birthplace

Chicago, Ill.

Religion

Episcopal

Profession

Attorney, solo practitioner

Contact

Campaign website

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Personal website

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Personal LinkedIn

David Shestokas (Republican Party) ran for election for Attorney General of Illinois. He lost in the Republican primary on June 28, 2022.

Shestokas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

David Shestokas was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree from Bradley University in 1975 and a law degree from John Marshall Law School in 1985. His career experience includes working as an attorney solo practitioner. Shestokas is admitted to practice law in the Illinois and Florida Supreme Courts and the Federal District Courts of Northern Illinois and Middle Florida. He has been affiliated with the Polish American Congress, Illinois division, and the Republican National Lawyers Association.

Shestokas has worked with the following organizations:

• Cook County, assistant state's attorney
• Chicago Board of Elections, hearing officer
• Cook County Juvenile Court, conflicts counsel
• Circuit Courts of Cook and Will Counties, arbitrator
• Lemont Library Board, trustee

Elections

2022

See also: Illinois Attorney General election, 2022

General election

General election for Attorney General of Illinois

Incumbent Kwame Raoul defeated Thomas DeVore and Dan Robin in the general election for Attorney General of Illinois on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kwame Raoul (D)	54.4	2,219,420
		Thomas DeVore (R)	43.5	1,774,468
		Dan Robin (L)	2.2	89,664

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,083,552
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Attorney General of Illinois

Incumbent Kwame Raoul advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Illinois on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kwame Raoul	100.0	830,578

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 830,578
= 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.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Illinois

Thomas DeVore defeated Steve Kim and David Shestokas in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Illinois on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Thomas DeVore	44.2	316,726
	Submit photo	Steve Kim	34.7	248,652
		David Shestokas	21.1	151,045

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 716,423
= 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

2022

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released May 10, 2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

David Shestokas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shestokas' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Public safety is the first duty of government. The elected Attorney General is Illinois’ chief law enforcement officer with a special duty to achieve justice, I will conduct the office with this guiding principle.

Experience is critical in enforcing the law and a proven commitment to the legal system that protects our freedoms are qualities citizens should seek in their Attorney General. As a prosecutor I was involved in over 400 felony cases and more than 10,000 misdemeanors. The next time either of my opponents prosecute a criminal matter will be the first time. I have worked to secure our elections (as counsel in a suit against the Board of Elections) and protect religious liberty with a suit against restrictions on church operations. My 35 years as an attorney includes criminal justice, child protection, elections, religious liberty, and pro bono work for civic and charitable organizations. I have a long demonstrated commitment to constitutional principles, shown by the books I’ve written, Constitutional Sound Bites and Creating the Declaration of Independence, my personal website and years educating about America’s Founding principles.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Make Crime Illegal Again - Crime and safety is a huge concern for Illinois citizens due to the policies of prosecutors around the state who refuse to prosecute crimes endangering the lives, safety and property of citizens. The IL AG has authority to prosecute cases that local State’s Attorneys refuse. As AG, I will reassign staff attorneys to monitor local prosecutions and criminal investigations and, where necessary, take over prosecutions needed for public safety. I will have a Law Enforcement Liaison to respond to officers who have placed themselves in harm’s way only to have their cases callously dismissed.
• The People’s Lawyer – As AG, my first initiative will be to resolve lawsuits by citizens filed against the state seeking vindication of statutory and constitutional rights. I will establish a policy of working with citizens rather than against them, as is practice for recent AG’s. I will educate staff attorneys that their first duty is to represent the people, not the government. With statewide law enforcement, the office will monitor proposed and existing legislation affecting their ability to protect Illinois citizens.
• Ensure Election Integrity - While the IL AG Act directs the first duty of the AG is to represent the people, (not the governor or the government), an additional duty is to prosecute election offenses. I have been involved in election integrity issues for many years and understand that elections are the vehicle designed to obtain the “consent of the governed”. This duty will be a principle priority, as it is critical to providing legitimacy to everything else that government does.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Continuing to educate Illinois citizens on the constitutional and statutory role of the Attorney General is a passion of mine. There is a misunderstanding as the office carries the same title as the US AG, but the job is vastly different. The US AG is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the president, and so, ultimately follows his directives. The IL AG, elected by the people, owes the duty to them, not the governor nor the government.

This distinction is crucial and yet not widely understood or followed by recent holders of the office. When the AG represents the people who elected him/her then crime is prosecuted, election protections are enforced, and citizen rights are defended. The people of Illinois should expect such conduct from their Attorney General.
Public safety is a passion as is election integrity. If the people are safe and secure in their persons and property they can proceed to participate in the myriad activities that give meaning to life. If they have confidence that our elections are secure and the reported results are legitimate then the “consent of the governed” will be given life and the promise of the Declaration of Independence fulfilled.

The office of Attorney General has a critical role to play in both public safety and elections.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The only office with authority to address crime quickly is the Attorney General. I have a plan, criminal justice experience, and existing legal authority to do so.

The current Attorney General acts as the government’s lawyer. The AG is elected by the people and owes a duty to them.

Mr. Raoul subjects citizens trying to vindicate statutory or constitutional rights to "lawfare". I filed a case for the Illinois Conservative Union asking the Board of Elections to obey federal law. The AG responded that the Board need not follow the law and filed motions to dismiss and requests for felony records of the four grandmother plaintiffs. The law has been decided in 12 states, but the AG continues litigating.
Many Assistant Attorneys General are litigating against citizens. Resolving such cases frees assets for criminal prosecutions.

Assistants not litigating against citizens will now monitor local prosecutors in Lake, Cook and other counties. Law enforcement referrals will be accepted regarding cases officers feel were improperly dismissed. Prosecutors who are failing to prosecute, knowing they are monitored, may be less cavalier in dismissing and, if the AG must step in, justice will be pursued.

I am well acquainted with career prosecutors and criminal justice professionals with access to the talent needed to address criminal issues across the state.

I have had the privilege and honor to stand in a courtroom and address the judge thusly:
"Good morning your honor, David Shestokas on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois."

It is a special experience to do that, knowing that your duty is directly to JUSTICE.

That is a duty of the Attorney General.

That is something neither of my opponents has ever done.

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

Easy call: My Dad. We lost him on 1/3/13 and I miss him every day. There's a town at the southern tip of Illinois, Metropolis (whose Chief of Police has endorsed my campaign), which has a theme built around the fact that Metropolis is also the home of Superman. In the center of town is a spot where one can pose with a cut out of Superman and be pictured as Superman. My favorite picture of Dad is from Metropolis as Superman. There's a story about Dad on my website that has the picture. It can be found here:

https://www.shestokas.com/guest-commentary-reflections/after-60-years-i-came-to-really-know-my-dad-on-november-20-2012/

Dad was an All-American football player, a Navy member of the greatest generation and a gentle giant. He taught me to respect everyone and compete vigorously in every endeavor. If you copy and paste the link above you will learn while I hope that I daily follow his example of life.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

I have written two books: "Constitutional Sound Bites" and "Creating the Declaration of Independence" both about our Founding Documents There is also the Spanish, "Capsulas Informativas Constitucionales."

All books are available on Amazon in both print and KIndle

The books will give great insight as well as the over 200 articles found at shestokas.com.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity and a servant's heart. Over my 35 years as an attorney I've never had the first two questioned and I have done pro bono work for the Salvation Army, Amicus Polinae, Lemont Law Enforcement Association and the Quality Life Center.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I have the legal experience in the areas important to the office and the management experience needed as well. I also grew up on a beer truck (in the family business). That took me to every neighborhood with every demographic and made me comfortable with basically everybody. There are no demographic lines with beer and I learned long ago that people all basically have the same interests in life. The be safe and secure, to provide for their families and pursue a satisfying career. I keep that in mind in dealing with everyone and it has served me well.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

As described throughout, be the lawyer for the people with a goal of achieving justice.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave the Office of Attorney General with a tradition that will recognize the job as the Lawyer for the People, not the government. I hope I can leave an office that will acknowledge that duty and be conducted in that way going forward.

I also hope to continue to write and educate on the miracle of the Founding of America and have future generations understand the precious gift we were given.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

My first vivid memory of a historical event is of the Cuban Missile Crisis. I remember the real fear my Mom expressed at the prospect of nuclear war.

As it was the first memory over my life I have read about the event and watched documentaries and theatrical presentations as well.

The story contains an important life lesson that applies to situations from national security to domestic disagreements. Kennedy would receive conflicting messages from Khrushchev, some belligerent, some conciliatory. Kennedy would reply to the conciliatory and ignore the belligerent. This approach got the sides to agreement.

I've found that works so well in so many situations in life, and I attribute my approach to so many things in my profession (like negotiations, witnesses, juries, etc.) to lessons from studying the Cuban Missile Crisis.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a caddy at LaGrange Country Club and did that for three summers. I learned much from the experience, in particular from the times there were professional tournaments with very accomplished golfers.

Caddies who had earned "A" status were recruited for the periodic professional tournament. These golfers were a wonder to watch in their ability to balance power, finesse and gentle touch when the situation arose.

They would hit hundreds of practice shots and putts daily. The lesson was that regardless of their proficiency, continuous practice was demanded. The second lesson was that these professionals were in the second tier and while I was in awe of their skill, they were not among the best at their craft.

I learned the line between the very good and the great was very thin, and that is what keeps hope alive.

What is your favorite book? Why?

To Kill a Mockingbird. I'm a lawyer.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Atticus Finch. I'm a lawyer.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Stairway to Heaven. I've always been surprised I was able to learn that on guitar and periodically it occupies my mind.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Thanks to my Dad, I have thought of difficulties as challenges rather than struggles. There are challenges to be met, and some are difficult, but "struggle" is not something that I choose to define as matters in my life.

I have observed and believe I have empathy for those who are struggling and when I have the skills or resources I have done my best to help. That includes my pro bono work and work with kids at the Quality Life Center.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

It is singularly important to observe the first duty of the Illinois Attorney General Act, "to represent the people". It is a point that recent holders of the office have missed and ultimately the people have not been told. That should define every action of the office, yet as mentioned the current office holder and his immediate predecessor ran the office as the government's, not the people's, law firm.

With that definition, the rest of the conduct is directed to public safety, official integrity and monitoring elections (where needed prosecute election crime).

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

To get a good grasp of the breadth of the Attorney General responsibilities I encourage folks to read the Illinois Attorney General Act. (15 ILCS 205/). There are 15 specific duties outlined in the Act, from the very broad to specific. Among the more crucial is the directive to provide legal guidance to other executive officers and the legislature.

When Gov. Pritzker issued his first Covid declaration in March, 2020, the law had always been that a governor's extraordinary powers lasted for 30 days and he was required to ask the legislature for extensions. AG Raoul issued a new opinion in April, 2020 saying that Pritzker could issue successive 30 day orders. It was Raoul that facilitated and defended all the governor's covid orders.

Few people know that everything they thought wrong about Pritzker's conduct was made possible by Raoul. It took nearly two years for a court to say that Raoul was wrong.

People should understand the power of an AG opinion.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

The ultimate critical responsibility of the office is the enforcement of criminal law. That is the authority that gives anything else the AG does teeth. I believe having such experience as a courtroom prosecutor is extremely important to the conduct of the office.

I have been involved in over 400 felony and 10,000 misdemeanor prosecutions. One of my opponents recently said such experience was unimportant as there are experienced prosecutors in the office. While there are such career prosecutors, I am of the firm belief that the "boss" (the Attorney General) should know and understand the work that he is overseeing.

Such governmental experience also provides the AG with the ability to judge and recruit talent. It is crucial.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

In addition to courtroom prosecution experience I believe management skills are also important. Prior to my becoming a lawyer I was president of a beverage distribution firm and at one time had 50 people that I was responsible for. For a period I was also managing partner of a small law firm with three partners, seven associates and support staff.

Such experience will be valuable in managing the office, and is experience that voters should consider.

Tell us your favorite joke.

There was a city boy carrot on a date with a country girl carrot.

It was the girl carrot's first time in the city and she failed to heed a stoplight.
She was hit by a car and rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
After several hours of surgery the doctor came out to see the boy carrot who was anxiously waiting.
The doc said he had good news and bad news. The boy carrot asked for the good news.
The doctor said she was going to live.
The boy carrot asked: What's the Bad News?

Doctor: "She's going to be a vegetable the rest of her life."

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