Juan Aguirre (Illinois)

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Juan Aguirre

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

June 28, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

University of Michigan School of Nursing, 2019

Personal

Birthplace

Chicago, Ill.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Co-Owner and Director of Nursing at the Yard Illinois

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Instagram

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Campaign TikTok

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Juan Aguirre (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 3rd Congressional District. He lost in the Democratic primary on June 28, 2022.

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

Biography

Juan Aguirre was born in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan School of Nursing in 2019. His career experience includes working as a co-owner and director of nursing at the Yard Illinois and overseeing COVID operations at a health center. He is a Gates Millenium Scholar and DePaul University Masters of Public Health student.

Aguirre has served with the following organizations:

• The Yard Illinois, co-owner
• National Diversity and Inclusion Cannabis Alliance, board member
• Green Wolverine, director of government relations
• University of Michigan College of Pharmacy, cannabis pharmacology guest speaker
• Prime Medical Chicago, patient care coordinator

Elections

2022

See also: Illinois' 3rd Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 3

Delia Ramirez defeated Justin Burau in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 3 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Delia Ramirez (D)	68.5	121,764
		Justin Burau (R)	31.5	55,995

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 177,759
= 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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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 3

Delia Ramirez defeated Gilbert Villegas, Iymen Chehade, and Juan Aguirre in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 3 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Delia Ramirez	66.4	37,296
		Gilbert Villegas	23.1	12,990
		Iymen Chehade	6.6	3,719
		Juan Aguirre	3.9	2,175

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 56,180
= 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 U.S. House Illinois District 3

Justin Burau advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 3 on June 28, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Justin Burau	100.0	18,997

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 18,997
= 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

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Juan Aguirre completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Aguirre's 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.

I am a Gates Millennium Scholar, University of Michigan and Walter Payton College Prep alumnus, DePaul University Masters of Public Health student, Registered Nurse, Illinois Dispensary License owner, and board member at the National Diversity and Inclusion Cannabis Alliance (NDICA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on criminal expungements, re-entry programs for formerly incarcerated folks, workforce development, and after school youth programs.

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?

• Mr. Aguirre is prepared to lead the War against Political Corruption in America. All elections are inherently fraudulent because in this country, the candidate with the most money almost always wins. As Congressman, Juan will protect the integrity of our elections. As Representative of the 3rd Congressional District, Juan will introduce the Make Democracy Great Again Act. When passed into law, The Make Democracy Great Again Act will: 1. MANDATE all local, county, state, and federal elections to be publicly funded Publicly funded elections would root out the inappropriate influence money plays in our elections. Although money has poisoned the well of democracy, the Make Democracy Great Again Act will protect the well from further infestation
• Mr. Aguirre is running for Congress in Illinois District 3 because he grew up low-income, so he intimately understands how our corrupt government keeps poor people poor and poor people powerless. As a frontliner in the War against COVID-19, Mr. Aguirre is prepared to lead the War against Corporate America’s exploitation of the working class. Once elected, Congressman Aguirre will introduce the Workers First Act (WFA), a bill that will: 1. MANDATE a 32 hour work week with no reduction in pay 2. GUARANTEE universal basic income ($1000/month) for Americans 18+ 3. IMPLEMENT vocational training programs in all 435 U.S congressional districts 4. MANDATE corporations hold free & fair union elections bi-annually
• Mr. Aguirre will ensure funding is diverted to a new federal curriculum to stop mass shootings from happening in this country. We cannot legislate away mass shootings by banning assault rifles; kids can now 3D print firearms, including assault rifles, at home, and they will continue to have access to handguns. A mass shooting where there’s 5 victims, because the perpetrator used a handgun, instead of 15 victims is NOT a victory. The only way to prevent the next mass shootings from occurring is with curriculum geared toward addressing the root causes of school shootings: toxic masculinity, white supremacy, and white male entitlement. We need a federal curriculum to dismantle and unpack entitlement, consent, coping mechanisms, & insecurity

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Anti-Corruption legislation as well as legislation to end corporate America’s exploration of the working class AND the nursing profession.

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

I look up to Fred Hampton, chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party. I am following his example of building a political rainbow coalition of folks of every race, creed, color, and socioeconomic status.

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

“The 13th” a 2016 American documentary film by director Ava DuVernay. The film explores the "intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States;" it is titled after the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1865, which abolished slavery throughout the United States and ended involuntary servitude except as a punishment for conviction of a crime.

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

Honesty and integrity. Since 2001, Americans have voted Nurses as the #1 most trusted profession, according to the Gallup Poll. I will bring trust back to this office, which has been tainted by a bribery scandal involving the incumbent of the 3rd congressional district and her opponent in the 2020 election.

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

Congress is a big club. In order to move up in the ranks and secure more resources and favorable legislation for your constituents, you have to make friends in both political parties. I am charismatic, fun, well-spoken, extremely intelligent (I’m a gates Millennium scholar), and I hold some viewpoints that resonate more strongly with republicans, and some viewpoint that resonate more strongly with democrats.

I am the idle candidate to make a lot of friends in congress who will assist me in securing the necessary resources and legislative victories my constituents demand.

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

Serving the people by any means necessary.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I am prepared to lead the War against Political Corruption in America. In America, All elections are inherently fraudulent because in this country, the candidate with the most money almost always wins. As Congressman, I will protect the integrity of our elections. As Representative of the 3rd Congressional District, I will introduce the Make Democracy Great Again Act. When passed into law, The Make Democracy Great Again Act will:

1. MANDATE all local, county, state, and federal elections to be publicly funded

Publicly funded elections would root out the inappropriate influence money plays in our elections. Although money has poisoned the well of democracy, the Make Democracy Great Again Act will protect the well from further infestation. In order to protect the integrity of elections in an era when every vote matters again, I will introduce The Politically, Influenced, and Corrupt Organization (PICO) Act, which will impose mandatory minimum sentences for those found guilty of financially influencing a publicly funded local, county, state, or federal election. The Make Democracy Great Again and PICO Acts are thorough tools to attack the root of electorate corruption: Money.

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

I was 5 years old, in my first week of kindergarten, when 9/11 happened.

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

From 2016-2017, I worked for the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. I worked as a bilingual phone interviewer for the Survey of Consumers' Attitudes. The Survey of Consumers' Attitudes makes up the monthly Index of Consumer Sentiment, which is reported as consumer confidence on the national news.

The results of this study influence Congress, the Federal Reserve Board, Wall Street, and global perception on the direction the U.S. Economy is headed.

I cold-called 80-160 numbers per day in hopes of convincing a U.S. resident to complete a 35-50 minute UNPAID phone interview for this nationwide study on the U.S. economy. This job was not easy. The main barrier I had to overcome when I first started working for this study in March 2016 was accepting the immense amount of rejection we experience as interviewers for this study. It is extremely difficult to sell an idea to someone when they receive no personal benefit from it.

There are many refusal aversion methods I integrated into the conversations to combat any resistance I met from potential respondents. I maintained a professional, courteous, and upbeat tone in my voice when dealing with frustrated and angry individuals.

I learned this study inside and out to convince the people I spoke with why this study deserves 35-50 minutes of their time without pay. I was aggressive in my methods, but courteous in my tone of voice. I did not passively take no for an answer.

I established the credibility and respect this study deserves, since the survey of consumers' attitudes has been conducted every single month since 1946, and has determined every upturn and downturn in the economy, including the 2008 recession.

I was persistent in my methods, which is why I was one of I was one of the only interviewers who is allowed to re-call numbers that gave an initial refusal. This experience refined my persuasion skills, which is an invaluable skill when working across the aisle.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Great Gatsby. Like Gatsby, there is one woman who I am deeply in love with, but the circumstances that be have kept us apart.

My ascent from rags to riches through the sale of the shares in my dispensary license is very much so Gatsby-esque. I hope my story ends on a happier note than Gatsby’s.

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

Batman.

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

Without Me - Halsey

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

Poverty. I grew up poor, so I intimately understand how our corrupt government keeps poor people poor & poor people powerless.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives are champions for the unique needs of a single area amongst the 435 congressional districts.

The hyper localized nature of the House of Representatives truly makes it the people’s chamber of Congress.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

No. Corruption is contagious; our politicians are super spreaders of this disease. I’d rather see 435 common, everyday folk who have never held political office seated in the 118th Congress, rather than career politicians.

Career politicians are out of touch with the needs of the people.

In 2024, I will be running 50-100 nurses for Congress under the singular brand #Nurses4Congress

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

China and Russia are the greatest threats to the stability of the world as we know it. China, like Russia, commits genocide every day. The Uyghur people, China’s Muslim ethnic minority, have experienced some of the cruelest crimes against humanity our world has ever seen. The Uyghurs are herded into interment camps, brainwashed to the point that their cultural identities are erased, the men are sterilized, many are executed, and their women are married off to Han Chinese men to ensure the extermination of their ethnic group as we know it.

ECONOMIC STRANGULATION/

China and Russia’s campaigns of genocide must be stopped. The only way to stop their campaigns of genocide is to economically strangle these two nations. Tarifs are a good start, but in order to truly economically strangle China, The United States, along with her allies, must impose a complete and total ban on American and Western companies from conducting business with China. All American and western companies must divest of all assets and operations in China in order to weaken the country’s economy to the point that it teeters on the edge of collapse. China’s economy must be pushed into a depression so that its people become so dissatisfied with their lives, that they rise up and revolt against the Chinese Communist Party. History has proven time and time again that the only way to defeat aristocracy is with democracy; a Chinese revolution is our only hope for ending their campaign of genocide.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Foreign Affairs and Healthcare committees

If you are a current representative, why did you join your current committees?

N/A

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

Yes, but congressmen should be term limited to serving 5 terms in the house, and 2 terms in the senate.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Members of Congress should be limited to serving 5 terms in the U.S House of Representatives, and 2 terms in the Senate.

If there are term limits for the President, why shouldn’t there be term limits for Congress?

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Illinois’ 1st Congressional District Representative Bobby Rush, one of the founding members of the Black Panther Party.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

The stories I’ve heard from registered nurses all across the country follows a similar theme: we are understaffed, underpaid, and under-appreciated. Here is an anecdote from one of my comrades in the War against COVID-19, one of my fellow healthcare heroes:

“I am a registered nurse and I have been wanting to vent for a while since I was fired from the hospital I worked for and was dedicated to for 24 years!! I worked on a cardiac step down unit for 10 years, on a med surg floor for 9 years and 4 years specializing on the IV team! I was fired on the spot during a nursing shortage crisis when the national guard was called in due to the shortage. I was fired for not obtaing my BSN. Meanwhile to accommodate for the shortage, my employer started paying nurses incentives to stay, and hiring agency or travel nurses that did not need a BSN to work!! I having nothing against my fellow travel RN's. I called the Magnet people who said it is a myth that 80% of nurses need to have their BSN to gain Magnet status, only 10% are needed. The hospital already had 80%.. To make matters worse they denied my unemployment insurance!! I went thru a divorce to which I became the sole provider and obtained full custody of my kids. I had to work full time. My life was a mess but I showed up for work and gave my all! I cannot believe that a place that should be one of the most caring places in the world is one of the most greedy, uncaring and unkind places ever, more caring and compassion in a prison. This has caused me much pain and anxiety as it is hard to find positions out side the hospital with the same pay!! I pray and hope that hospital administration change their Evil ways!”

Tell us your favorite joke.

What do you call two Latinos playing basketball?

Juan on Juan.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is necessary, especially given the fact that no major legislation can be passed without 60 votes in the senate, due to the filibuster.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

As Congressman, I will ensureThe House of Representatives divests a small percentage of funding from the military to public schools across America. Not only will this funding be used to get our kids up to speed with other western nations by investing in vocational training programs in all 435 congressional districts, but this funding will also be utilized to stop mass shootings from happening in this country. We cannot legislate away mass shootings by banning assault rifles; kids can now 3D print firearms, including assault rifles, at home, and they will continue to have access to handguns. A mass shooting where there’s 5 victims, because the perpetrator used a handgun, instead of 15 victims is NOT a victory.

The only way to prevent the next mass shootings from occurring is with curriculum geared toward addressing the root causes of school shootings: toxic masculinity, white supremacy, and white male entitlement. We need a federal curriculum to dismantle and unpack these causes. Starting in pre-k we need to discuss entitlement, consent, coping mechanisms, insecurity, bullying, and dealing with rejection. There’s a reason girls and black kids aren’t shooting up schools: marginalized kids are forced to accept rejection and powerlessness in ways white boys simply aren’t.

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.

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Candidate

U.S. House Illinois District 3

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Footnotes

[show]

Illinois' current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Tammy Duckworth (D)

Dick Durbin (D)

Representatives

District 1

Jonathan Jackson (D)

District 2

Robin Kelly (D)

District 3

Delia Ramirez (D)

District 4

Jesus Garcia (D)

District 5

Mike Quigley (D)

District 6

Sean Casten (D)

District 7

Danny Davis (D)

District 8

Raja Krishnamoorthi (D)

District 9

Jan Schakowsky (D)

District 10

Brad Schneider (D)

District 11

Bill Foster (D)

District 12

Mike Bost (R)

District 13

Nikki Budzinski (D)

District 14

Lauren Underwood (D)

District 15

Mary Miller (R)

District 16

Darin LaHood (R)

District 17

Eric Sorensen (D)

Democratic Party (16)

Republican Party (3)