Ruth Pellegrini

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

Ruth Pellegrini

Independent

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 3, 2020

Personal

Birthplace

Chicago, Ill.

Religion

Christian

Profession

Businesswoman

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Campaign Instagram

Personal Facebook

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Personal Instagram

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Ruth Pellegrini (independent) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Illinois' 1st Congressional District. She lost as a write-in candidate in the general election on November 3, 2020. Pellegrini filed to run as a write-in candidate after she was disqualified from appearing on the general election ballot.

Biography

Ruth Pellegrini was born in Chicago, Illinois. She attended De Paul University. Pellegrini’s career experience includes working in outdoor advertising.

Elections

2020

See also: Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020

Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Democratic primary)

Illinois' 1st Congressional District election, 2020 (March 17 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Incumbent Bobby Rush defeated Philanise White and Ruth Pellegrini in the general election for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bobby Rush (D)	73.8	239,943
		Philanise White (R)	26.2	85,027
		Ruth Pellegrini (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	153

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 325,123
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Incumbent Bobby Rush defeated Sarah Gad, Robert Emmons Jr., and Ameena Nuur Matthews in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Bobby Rush	71.5	94,863
		Sarah Gad	10.4	13,783
		Robert Emmons Jr.	10.3	13,628
	Submit photo	Ameena Nuur Matthews	7.8	10,409

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 132,683
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Robert Palmer (D)
• Darnell Leatherwood (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1

Philanise White advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Illinois District 1 on March 17, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Philanise White	100.0	10,134

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 10,134
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Jimmy Lee Tillman II (R)
• John Wassenaar (R)
• Lynn Franco (R)

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ruth Pellegrini completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pellegrini'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'm a concerned business woman of the First District of Illinois. I want to see improvement in the lives of the people in First District, and they certainly won't get that with the current leadership that's in place. I grew up in First District and know the potential of the people living there. Bad political leadership has led to worsening conditions for everyone. As one of the few licensed female electricians in Chicago and owner of a certified WBE (women-owned business enterprise), I know what it is to fight uphill battles and win. My energy and passion for positive change can transform lives, from single moms to business people, from students to retirees. I believe with the right vision in place, jobs can be created and factories that have moved overseas can be brought back to our district. We need more manufacturing to come back to our neighborhoods, creating jobs and opportunity, and building stable families.

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?

• Heal The City
• Jobs and Entrepreneurship
• Education and Literacy

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I want to see the cultural divide and the racial divide and the generational divide in our communities bridged. In terms of public policy, this starts with literacy and job creation, which are cornerstones of my campaign. This is why my focus as a candidate is Heal The City.

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

I look up to my parents, who worked hard and raised 6 biological children, and numerous foster children of all different backgrounds and colors. They are an example of dependability and openness, and always find the best in every situation. They are peacemakers, and we need more peacemakers in our country, city and neighborhoods.

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

The United States Constitution, the greatest document in history that launched the republic for which we stand.

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

Honesty, the ability to listen, and the willingmness to work hard to make the voices of the people heard

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

A tenacious drive to see the right things done for the most marginalized in society. I believe we need representatives who are sensitive to the needs of the people in their district. I have compassion and a fearlessness that overcomes obstacles that would deter a weaker person. My level of commitment neither subsides nor dissipates.

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

To represent the people of their district, to be their voice, and to speak for them. In order to do this, a representative first has to listen, and then she can effectively support and implement the needs of the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like the people of First District to see their lives improve through jobs, education and healing.

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

Chicago race riots in 1968. I was seven years old

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

Paper Route 3 years

What is your favorite book? Why?

To Kill A Mockingbird
Because it addresses racial injustice with sensitivity and aplomb.

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

Atticus Finch

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

What Have You Done For Me Lately

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

Seeing marginalized people suffer when their lives could be easily improved by better leadership in Congress.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

One that is fair and based on economic opportunity

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

The ability to be the voice in Washington of local constituencies. Our country is big and varied, but the U.S. House of Representatives is there to make the voice of the people heard.

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

It can be helpful, but often a fresh voice and perspective can be even more beneficial. At this point in our country's history, we need voices of people who have passion for their district more than previous government expoerience.

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

Our country needs to be unified, and we are in a very polarized period. Unity will only come through moving forward with some degree of shared values. Economic opportunity makes for a more harmonious future, but we have to be willing to work together to build our communities.

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

Energy and Natural Resources
Education and Labor

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

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I think term limits should be considered to avoid the atrophying effect of being too comfortable in a congressional office. This can lead to complacency and loss of passion for the home district.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

As a freshman representative, I would not be seeking a leadership role, but would be there to serve and learn. I would seek a leadership role in my second term.

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

Liz Cheney

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

2020 Elections

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Footnotes

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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)