by Raymond Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 12th District

Covid-19 has killed nearly a quarter million Americans. The most of any country in the world! Covid-19 has also infected nearly eight million Americans, again the most in the world.
It didn’t have to be this way!
If President Trump had just followed the example of Angela Merkel in Germany, at least 150,000 Americans would still be alive. Germany did four times better than Trump in controlling Covid-19 infections and deaths. And even Trump himself had the virus.
His 25,000 plus lies, his lawlessness and reckless behavior, and his total lack of national leadership has not only cost lives, it’s wrecked our economy. We have lost tens of millions of jobs and small businesses.
It didn’t have to be this way!
Trump makes fun of masks and holds his huge rallies with no social distancing, people are jammed together like sardines…shame on him.
Now, a broad swath of Republican Party is seriously ill, or worse, including my opponent Mike Bost. Former GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain apparently was infected at Trump’s unmasked indoor rally in Tulsa and died a week alter. Trump’s campaign manager, Kellyanne Conway, Chris Christie and three U.S. senators, among many others, were all infected at Trump events.
Recklessness and the mocking of science and expert health advice have cost untold tears. Through all this, Mike Bost has been silent, afraid to speak one word questioning Donald Trump, just has he has been afraid of debating me on the issues.
The failure of Trump and Bost is crystal clear – hundreds of thousands have died unnecessarily. Leadership is about doing the right thing. Trump and Bost have failed that test.
It’s time “We the People” had a real representative in Congress, like the great Democratic congressmen Kenny Gray, Paul Simon, Glenn Poshard and Jerry Costello. Let’s really “Drain the Swamp.” It’s time to vote out Donald Trump and Mike Bost. Vote for Joe Biden and Ray Lenzi.

by Raymond Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 12th District

Last week, our campaign was notified that 12th District Congressman Mike Bost has refused to take part in a candidates’ debate scheduled to air on WSIU-TV, the Carbondale-based P-B-S affiliate, this fall.
These WSIU debates have become something of a “must-do” for the candidates, with our local broadcasters and their sponsoring partners stepping up to the plate to help voters get to know each of the contenders. Sadly, that will not take place this year; Bost has decided to break with this long-standing tradition.
For the past five months, we have tried to communicate with the Bost campaign seeking to engage in 12 debates, one in each county in the district, but with absolutely no response.
Then, on WSIL-TV’s Sept. 15th news broadcasts, Mr. Bost had the unmitigated gall to say he wants to “encourage open debate.” Really, Mike?!?!
This is just another attempt by Bost to hide from the voters and avoid discussion of the issues and his record. Perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised. Bost shows up around here every two years, says “vote for me” and then disappears. Indeed, in our travels around the 12th District, we’ve heard from many people who say they haven’t even seen Mike Bost for years.
And so, we call out Mike Bost as “Chicken Mike” and “No Show Mike” for his obvious fear of an open discussion on the perilous questions before us.
Meanwhile, at this moment in our country’s history, we’re in the midst of four simultaneous crises: 1) the global pandemic and healthcare, 2) the climate crisis and global warming, 3) the economic collapse, and 4) the racial justice crisis that erupted in the wake of the murders of Brionna Taylor, George Floyd and others.
Donald Trump and Mike Bost have failed on all four of these issues.
Mr. Bost clearly is afraid to stand up to Trump, the catastrophically failed President; failed to stand up to Trump even though Trump called our soldiers, veterans and fallen heroes “losers” and “suckers;” even though Trump is afraid to confront Vladimir Putin regarding the Russian bounties on our soldiers in Afghanistan; afraid to stand up for the people of Southern Illinois and the 12th District, instead being a pawn of Big Pharma, Big Banks, Corporate Super-PACs and the Super Rich. I mean, do we really want to re-elect someone who takes money from the big pharmaceutical corporations to be involved in writing healthcare legislation?
Bost has even failed to once challenge the Liar-in-Chief on any of his more than 20 thousand documented lies.
Finally, we take Bost to task because he refuses to engage in dialogue or debate on the great issues before us, refuses to engage in communication so central to a vital or even real democracy to agree to a single debate, thus showing his fear of facing voters, rejecting proposals for a single debate even though our campaign has agreed to 12.
You can bet money Mike Bost will be hiding behind the trappings of his office for the next two months, trying to avoid the voters, while he starts airing those misleading negative television commercials we’ve come to expect from him.
The choice is clear. Donald Trump and Mike Bost have no plans for our future. We do. Visit www.lenziforcongress.com for information on our positions and our solutions to these, and other, problems.
So, what say you “Chicken Mike?” Are you still too afraid to defend your failed policies and your failed record on healthcare, the environment, the economic collapse, and racial discord?
The voters are waiting. Your silence is deafening.

Carbondale, Ill. – Ray Lenzi, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 12th District, takes his campaign on the road over the next month, engaging with community members, gathering input and discussing issues facing the voters.
“Our ‘Movement for Change’ tour will cover all 12 counties in the district,” said Lenzi. “Mike Bost has declined to participate in the democratic process so we decided to hit the road and allow the voters to engage directly with our campaign.”
The “Movement for Change” tour starts on Monday, Sept. 21, at the site of the Lincoln-Douglas debate in Jonesboro and ends a month later in Alton, the final site in the historic series of debates.
“At this moment in our country’s history, we’re in the midst of four simultaneous crises,” Lenzi point out, “the global pandemic and healthcare, the climate crisis and global warming, the economic collapse, and the racial justice crisis that erupted in the wake of the murders of Brionna Taylor, George Floyd and others. We want to hear what people have to say about these and other issues.”
Lenzi encourages everyone to attend these informal get-togethers. “We know that Mike Bost is going to hide behind the trappings of his office and attempt to win this election with his misleading, negative television commercials,” he said. “We want to engage with voters and encourage them to vote on Nov. 3.”
The schedule is as follows:
Sept. 21 Noon – Jonesboro, Lincoln Memorial Park, 521 N. Main Street
3 p.m. – Mound City, Pulaski Co. Courthouse, 500 Illinois Ave. # A
6 p.m.– Cairo, Intersection of Old U.S. Route 51 and 27th Street

Sept. 24 Noon – Herrin, City Park Pavilion, 1010 N. 5th St.
5 p.m. – West Frankfort, Coal Miners Memorial Park, 98 East Main St.

Sept. 29 Noon – Du Quoin, TBD
6 p.m. – Murphysboro, Jackson County Courthouse, 1001 Walnut St.

Oct. 1 Noon – Mt. Vernon, Veterans Memorial Park, 800 South 27th St.

Oct. 7 Noon – Chester, Randolph County Courthouse, 1 W. Taylor St.
6 p.m.– Waterloo, TBD

Oct. 9 Noon – East St. Louis City Hall, East St. Louis, 301 River Park Drive
5 p.m. – Belleville, St. Clair County Courthouse, 10 Public Square

Oct. 21 5 p.m.- Alton, Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument, 1299 E 5th St.

Dates, times and locations for the “Movement for Change” tour are subject to change. Updates will be sent as warranted.

CARBONDALE, Ill. – The 12th District Congressional campaign of Ray Lenzi has picked up a major show of support. The Teamsters Union Joint Council 25 has announced their endorsement the Makanda Democrat’s run for Congress.
The move comes on the heels of this week’s endorsement announcements from AFSCME and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. “An endorsement from the Teamsters Union is a signal to 12th District voters that our campaign is supporting working men and women,” said Lenzi. “The Teamsters understand that we will be a partner in finding solutions to a lagging economy, the pandemic and others issues facing not only their membership, but indeed, the entire country.”
The Teamsters Joint Council 25 serves more than 100,000 workers in Illinois and Indiana. “Ray is a true friend of organized labor,” said Jason Ashmore of Teamsters Local 50, which covers the 12th Congressional District. “We’re proud to endorse his campaign and look forward to working with Ray to address issues important to our membership.”
Other organizations endorsing the Lenzi campaign include Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, United Steelworkers, Illinois/National Indivisible, Sierra Club, Mom’s Demand Action, Our Revolution, LEAP Forward, Sunrise Movement, AFSCME, the Illinois Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers.
“We expect to announce additional endorsements in the coming days and weeks as we approach election day,” said Lenzi. “More and more people are deciding that it’s time to retire Mike Bost.”

East Alton, Ill. – The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace workers today announced their endorsement of Democratic 12th District Congressional candidate Ray Lenzi.
The announcement was made at the Machinists Union Hall in East Alton and was accompanied by a $5,000 donation to the Lenzi campaign.
“We are very grateful for the support of the machinists,” said Lenzi. “The $5,000 donation will help keep our campaign competitive as we approach the November 3rd election.”
The Machinists and Aerospace Workers union represents machinists, assemblers, welders, maintenance, and repair, auto technicians, truck technicians, auto body technicians, attorneys, nurses, woodworkers, aircraft mechanics, city employees, police, and a wide variety of other skills and trades.
“The machinists union represents a diverse body of working men and women,” Lenzi said. “This endorsement is another indication that our campaign is attracting more and more support from people across the 12 District.”
IAMAW District 9 president, Dean Webb, noted that the Lenzi campaign will fight for the best interests of the union as well as working men and women across the 12th District. “Ray is a former member of the United Mine Workers and is very familiar with the issues that face labor organizations,” Webb said. “We’re proud to endorse his campaign.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by District 9 Directing Business Representative Dave Weaver. “It is important that our representatives in Washington understand the challenges facing labor unions and their membership,” said Weaver. “Ray deserves our backing and our financial support.”
Other organizations endorsing the Lenzi campaign include Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Federation of Teachers, United Steelworkers, Illinois/National Indivisible, Sierra Club, Mom’s Demand Action, Our Revolution, LEAP Forward, Sunrise Movement, AFSCME, the Illinois Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and the Teamsters Union.

Carbondale, Ill. – The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees has thrown its support to Ray Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 12th District.
“The AFSCME endorsement is quite an honor,” said Lenzi. “It is an indication that those who work for the people, for the taxpayers, understand what our campaign is about.”
AFSCME represents 100,000 active and retired public service workers in Illinois, including approximately 40,000 state employees working in more than 50 departments, authorities, boards, and commissions under the authority of the Governor.
“We’re proud to have the backing of these hardworking Illinoisans,” Lenzi said. “Our campaign is about standing up for the needs and interests of working families.”
Lenzi noted that his opponent is pushing an anti-labor agenda. “What’s good for working people is good for the 12th District and the nation,” Lenzi said. “Mike Bost doesn’t seem to understand that.”
The Lenzi for Congress campaign has also won endorsements from the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the United Steelworkers union, the national Indivisible organization, Mom’s Demand Action, LEAP Forward, the Sunrise Movement, Our Revolution Downstate, IBEW, the Teamsters, the Steelworks Union, and the Sierra Club.

Carbondale, IL – Speaking to voters in front of the Carbondale Post Office today, Democratic Congressional candidate Ray Lenzi urged incumbent Mike Bost to stand up for 12th District senior citizens, veterans and businesses and vote to approve emergency legislation that would prevent the Postal Service from dialing back service.
“We’re going learn a lot about Mike Bost in the coming days,” observed Lenzi. “Will he vote with the best interests of the 12th District in mind, or will he play politics and blindly follow the President’s campaign to sabotage the election?”
Lenzi’s comments came as he embarked on a four-day tour of 17 Post Offices in the 12th District, greeting voters and taking President Trump to task for deliberately knee-capping the United States Postal Service, and causing hardship for 12th District voters who depend on timely delivery of mail.

Lenzi noted that President Trump has made numerous evidence-free claims about voter fraud when it comes to mail-in ballots, questioning the legitimacy of the election. “When have we ever had an American president who says any election that he doesn’t win is, by definition, illegitimate?

The U.S. House returns to Washington this week to consider issues facing the Postal Service. A vote on the emergency legislation could come as early as Saturday.

“Will Mike Bost vote to protect American democracy and stand up for fast and efficient postal service as well as safe and secure mail-in voting procedures,” asked Lenzi. “Well, who knows…he doesn’t meet with constituents or hold town hall meetings or communicate with voters. As far as anyone knows, he’ll fall in line with Trump and hide behind the trappings of his office.

“So, how about it Mike? Are you in favor of American democracy; are you in favor of allowing the Postal Service to provide efficient, fast delivery of mail as enshrined in the U.S. Constitution? Or will you back Trump and his effort to cause interference, inconvenience, and outright harm to 12th District voters?

Here is the schedule for Lenzi’s four-day Post Office tour:
Wednesday, Aug. 19
10 a.m. – Carbondale, 1301 E. Main St.

11 a.m. – Colp, 1501 N. Mayor Caliper Drive

11.30 a.m. – Herrin, 200 S. Park Ave.

12:30 p.m. – Marion, 205 E. Main St.

2 p.m. – West Frankfort, 219 E. Main St.

3 p.m. – Benton, 301 N. Du Quoin St. 4 p.m. – Christopher, 110 N. Emma St.

Thursday, Aug. 20

Friday, Aug. 21
10 a.m. – Belleville, 120 W. Washington St.

Monday, Aug. 24

10 a.m. – Granite City, 2350 Madison Ave.

11 a.m. – Woodriver, 161 E. Ferguson Ave.

12 p.m. – Alton, 2350 Homer M. Adams Pkwy.

2 p.m. – O’Fallon, 1111 S. Lincoln Ave.

Carbondale, Ill. – Ray Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 12th District congressional seat, has picked up the endorsement of the Sierra Club, a national organization devoted to protecting America’s environment.
“Our campaign is very pleased to have the backing of the Sierra Club and its 3.8 million members and supporters,” said Lenzi. “It’s recognition that our positions on the environment, global warming and alternative fuels are in the best interests of the people of the 12th District and indeed the entire nation.”
In making their endorsement, the Sierra Club wrote, “We look forward to working with you to protect America’s air, water and land for our families and our future.”
The Sierra Club is committed to promoting clean energy solutions that will move the nation towards a safe and clean energy future built on energy efficiency, clean energy and American innovation.
“These goals match perfectly with what out campaign stands for,” Lenzi noted. “The people in the 12th District are proud of their heritage when it comes to the environment and responsible use of natural resources. If elected, I’ll make sure those voices are heard in Washington.”
The Lenzi campaign has also won endorsements from the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the United Steelworkers union, the national Indivisible organization, Mom’s Demand Action, LEAP Forward, the Sunrise Movement, Our Revolution Downstate, and the Illinois branch of the Sierra Club.

CARBONDALE/O’FALLON — The Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 12th district congressional seat today speculated that his Republican opponent may be afraid to engage in a series of debates.
“We have tried and tried, over and over again, to communicate with Mike Bost and his campaign about having an open discussion of the issues,” said Lenzi, “But despite our best efforts, not a peep. Maybe he’s afraid to face the issues of our challenging times.”
Lenzi’s comments came during a pair of news conferences held today in front of Bost’s congressional offices in Carbondale and O’Fallon.
Lenzi also said Bost may be afraid of his legislative failures including his votes to cut Medicare and Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and his votes for Big Pharma.
“There are sponsors waiting. We can simply meet like Lincoln and Douglas did where each of the candidates speaks for an equal about of time,” Lenzi noted. “It doesn’t have to be difficult…and to be clear we will speak in each county whether Bost agrees to join us or not.”
“Trump was on television the other day talking about the Covid pandemic and claiming everything is ‘under control.’ Now, we all know better than that. But does Mike Bost know that? The voters need to know where Mr. Bost stands.”
Lenzi noted that America is in big trouble and that the time for change in now.

We’re throwing down the gauntlet and calling out Mike Bost. I stand ready to debate the issues and present my views to the voters of the 12th District. Is ‘No Show Mike?’

RAYMOND LENZI, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, ILLINOIS 12TH DISTRICT

My campaign has tried and tried, over and over again, to communicate with Mike Bost and his campaign about having open discussions of the issues facing Southern Illinois and the nation as we get ready to vote in the 2020 election.
In order to facilitate these open discussions, we have challenged Mr. Bost to a series of Lincoln-Douglas style debates, one in each county of the 12th District.
But despite our best efforts…not a peep out of Mr. Bost.
We sent Mike these two certified letters (holds up envelopes) which were returned to us. It took a full month for one of ‘em to find its way back to our mailbox. We send a third letter by First Class mail, and by email. But who knows what became of it…again, not a peep out of Mr. Bost.
So here we are…in front of Mr. Bost’s office hoping that with some direct contact, he’ll hear our message. Which is this:
Congressman Bost: we openly challenge you with a debate schedule. (Refer to poster) There are sponsors already waiting including the League of Women Voters, the regional media, the NAACP, labor and business groups, each of our campaigns and parties, the Green Party and more who will help promote these discussions.
This doesn’t have to be difficult. While some groups may choose to have a question and answer format we can simply meet like Lincoln and Douglas did in an open format where each candidate simply speaks for an equal amount of time. We propose to start on Labor Day in Union County in Jonesboro, site of the third Lincoln-Douglas debate, with a closing session in Alton, site of the final Lincoln-Douglas debate. Social distancing guidelines would be observed. Or these sessions can take place on-line.
We should make it clear that we will speak in each county whether you agree to join us or not. The issues of the day and the historic times in which we live demand it. You are either for a democratic discussion of the issues or you’re afraid to face the challenges of our times. We will make it clear that if you fail to meet us on the democratic field of battle we will call you out as a coward, afraid to face the issues and the voters; call you out as “No Show Mike” the pawn of Big Pharma and Dark and Dirty Money. We start here today at your office. We will not go away. We throw down the gauntlet and call you out.
So why would “No Show Mike” NOT want to debate? Well, there might be some very good reasons Mr. Bost is in hiding.

Let’s start with corruption. In 2016 Donald Trump, Mike Bost and friends ran on the slogan “Drain the Swamp”. What is now clear is that both Donald Trump and Mike Bost represent the worst creatures of the swamp they talked about draining.
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Donald Trump’s corruption is well documented. But there is no doubt that the overwhelming failure of the Trump administration and the prevailing Republican party is the tragedy of the corona virus pandemic. There are now more than 165,000 Americans who have lost their lives from Covid-19. The failure of the Trump administration’s response has also produced the worst economic collapse in American history.
Trump was on television the other day talking about the Corona pandemic claiming everything is “under control.” Now, we all know better than that. But does Mike Bost know that? Who knows?
“No Show” Mike has not held a Town Hall in nearly four years. He has voted 33 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, to take health insurance away from 30 million Americans – 50,000 right here in his own district, while ending protections for those with pre-existing conditions and costing 3,500 good paying healthcare jobs. Bost’s legislative failures include votes to cut Medicare and Medicaid, votes for Big Pharma and keeping drug prices high for Seniors.
I would also point out that within the first few months in office, Bost spent more on taxpayer-funded office expenses than any other member of Congress. He also used his free taxpayer-funded mailing privileges more than any other member of Congress. He has voted to keep the Confederate flag flying on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building. And in 2015 he voted to limit the power of the Office of Congressional Ethics and House Ethics.
America is in big trouble and it’s time for a big change. There are many issues ranging from getting dark money out of politics, electoral reform, women’s right to control their own bodies, gender equality, education funding and more. Democracy is supposed to be about the open and free discussion and resolution of issues that America faces.
But “No Show Mike” doesn’t seem to want to talk about any of this.
Just what are you afraid of Mike?
I close with the three mantras of our campaign: 1) Forward, not Backward, 2) We the People, We the Majority, and 3) The Times They are a’changin.
It’s time to retire, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and Mike Bost!