Carbondale, Ill. – The Illinois Federation of Teachers has endorsed the “We the People” campaign of Ray Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’s 12th District.
“I consider the IFT endorsement to be quite an honor,” said Lenzi. “As a former educator myself, our campaign backs teachers, local schools and students and will push to improve all aspects of the educational experience at the federal level.
In making their endorsement, the IFT wrote, “an endorsement from the IFT is a signal to Illinois voters that you will be an advocate for public education, vital public services and working families. This endorsement is also a signal to the diverse membership of the IFT that you will be a partner with us in finding the best solutions to the state’s many challenges.”
The IFT is a statewide organization of more than 103,000 teachers, educational workers, university and community college faculty and staff, and state employees.
The Lenzi campaign also picked up an endorsement from Our Revolution Downstate, a local branch of the Our Revolution organization. Our Revolution groups have been organizing across Illinois to elect progressives and advance a progressive issue agenda at every level of government.
“Our Revolution has achieved some significant victories,” noted Lenzi. “Our campaign is proud to have the backing of this important grass roots community organization.”
The Lenzi campaign has also won endorsements from the United Steelworkers union, the national Indivisible organization, Mom’s Demand Action, LEAP Forward, the Sunrise Movement, and the Sierra Club.
“These endorsements are very important in that they let voters knows where our campaign stands on the issues,” said Lenzi. “We expect to receive the backing of many more groups in the weeks leading up to the November election. It’s time to retire Mike Bost.”

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

The Trump Administration has totally failed the American people on the Coronavirus Pandemic. Total deaths in this country are expected to approach a quarter million by the end of the year and we are struggling with a wrecked economy that finds some 45 million people out of work and facing personal crises of housing, income and food.
How did we sink so low? There are two answers: 1) the Trump Administration’s incompetence and denial and 2) the complicity of Republican senators and congressmen, including Mike Bost, and other leaders.
President Trump’s total disinterest in the crisis started with disbanding the Pandemic Task Force, followed by his initial denial and his braggadocio promise months ago that cases would soon go to “zero” and the virus would “disappear”. Then came the blatant mocking of masks, the refusal to model and lead, and his attempt to hold mass rallies without masks and social distancing.
We are now paying the price in illness, death and economic devastation not seen since the Great Depression.
Our great country, the world leader in science, technology and medicine, is now the pariah of the world with Europe and much of the globe closing their doors to American visitors. Only two years ago my wife and I were welcomed to my Italian grandparents’ hometown near Bologna by my cousins. Now, Americans are one of the few nationals not allowed entry to Europe.
It didn’t have to be this way.
So where is our Congressman Mike Bost in all this? The silence and lack of conscience and leadership stands as a testament to the moral bankruptcy of “No Show” Mike.
It shouldn’t surprise us though. Mike Bost has sold us out as a regular practice. He voted 33 times to take away the health insurance of 30 million nationally including 50,000 in his own district! That would have cost 3,500 local doctors, nurses and allied healthcare workers their jobs. He and Trump’s major “accomplishment” was a tax cut for the super-rich, with 83% of the dollars going to the top 1%, those making more than $ 450,000 per year. How many of you reading this fit that demographic? Mike Bost is now clearly marked as a pawn of Big Pharma, costing you more for your medicines. He has also voted for huge cuts in Medicare and Medicaid.
Let us state it plainly: Donald Trump and Mike Bost have blood on their hands. Incompetence and silence are costing tens of thousands of American lives. It’s time to retire Donald Trump and Mike Bost.

Carbondale, Ill. – The “We the People” campaign of Ray Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’s 12th District has picked up two major endorsements from labor organizations, plus backing from a national grassroots group.
“I am very proud to secure the backing of the United Steelworkers International and the Illinois AFL/CIO,” said Lenzi. “These endorsements are recognition that our campaign is doing the right things for labor.”
The United Steelworkers endorsement comes from the International Union in Pittsburgh, Pa. and includes backing from locals in Granite City and across Southern Illinois.
The Illinois AFL-CIO represents 1,500 local unions and nearly 900,000 union members in Illinois. In making its endorsement, the AFL-CIO wrote, “Your support of the Illinois AFL-CIO on issues affecting the working men and women of Illinois earned you the endorsement.”
Lenzi is a former UMWA coal miner who has long championed union issues, including support for prevailing wage laws, a $15/hour minimum wage, PRO Act, and an expansion of labor laws.
“I oppose my opponent’s anti-labor agenda,” said Lenzi, “and it appears that major labor organizations feel the same way. What’s good for working people is good for the 12 District and the nation. Mike Bost simply doesn’t seem to understand that.”
The Lenzi campaign has also won the endorsement of the national Indivisible organization. “Ray Lenzi has been a coal miner, a professor, and has worked in non-profit rural economic development,” Indivisible wrote in its endorsement. “Next on his list is congressman, to bring progressive change to Illinois’ 12th District. We’re proud to endorse Ray Lenzi.”
Indivisible is a nationwide grassroots progressive group with thousands of chapters across the country. The Indivisible Project was instrumental in taking back the House in 2018.
The Lenzi campaign has also won endorsements from Mom’s Demand Action, LEAP Forward, the Sunrise Movement, and the Sierra Club.
“We expect to pick up more endorsements in the weeks and months ahead,” said Lenzi. “Clearly, our grassroots ‘We the People” movement is gaining momentum…it’s time to retire Mike Bost.”

Carbondale, Ill. – The “We the People” campaign of Ray Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in the 12th District, today called on his opponent to renounce votes made in the U.S. House supporting the Confederate flag.
“Mike Bost needs to explain to voters why he voted to support the Confederate flag, and then renounce those votes,” said Lenzi. “All voters in the 12th District need to know that their congressman actually represents their interests in Washington.”
In June 2015, Bost voted to delay a resolution that would require removal of all Confederate symbols from the U.S. House (HR 34 – Vote #385). One month later, Bost voted to block consideration of removing any state flag containing the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (HRES 355 – Vote #425). Then, in May 2016, Bost voted against prohibiting display of Confederate flag imagery in Veterans Administration cemeteries (HR 4974 – Vote #223).
“’Confederate’ Mike needs to change his tune,” said Lenzi. “Bost dishonors the memory of Southern Illinois hero John A. Logan who must be turning over in his grave over Bost’s defense of the racist Confederacy.”
Lenzi went on the say that Bost should reflect on those votes and join the rest of the country in condemning the Confederate battle flag and everything it stands for. “Failure do so is an indication that he does not understand the issues facing the nation today,” Lenzi said.
“NASCAR has banned the Confederate flag from its events and South Carolina has removed the flag from statehouse grounds. The U.S. military, including the Marine Corps, has also ordered removal of the flag from all of its installations,” said Lenzi. “We further urge Mr. Bost to support renaming those military bases bearing the names of Confederate commanders.”
Lenzi noted that “the times, they are a changing. It’s time for Mr. Bost to condemn his votes regarding the Confederate flag and join the rest of the nation in correcting the mistakes of the past.”

“They’re not even trying to be subtle”

Carbondale, Ill. – A special interest lobbying group, supported and funded by Big Pharma, has thrown its support to 12th District Republican Congressman Mike Bost.
In paid ads running in 12th District newspapers Sunday, the “Alliance for Patient Access” says it has given Bost its “2020 Champion of Patient Access” award.
The Associated Press reported last year that the “’Alliance for Patient Access’ gives off a consumer-friendly vibe but is bankrolled by the powerful pharmaceutical industry.”
“They’re not even trying to be subtle,” said Ray Lenzi of Makanda, the Democratic candidate seeking to take over Bost’s seat. “There can no longer be any doubt…Mr. Bost is clearly in the tank for Big Pharma. He’s actually bragging about it.”
Steven Knievel of the nonpartisan watchdog group Public Citizen told the AP that, “Groups like the Alliance for Patient Access often act as foils for the pharmaceutical industry instead of advancing patient interests. They advocate for policies where industry and patient interests align. But any time drug prices are on the table, they toe the line of their corporate backers.”
Lenzi noted, “It’s part of a pattern that has followed Mr. Bost throughout his entire political career…service to his constituents takes a back seat to big money.
“Mr. Bost has a terrible record when it comes to health care in this country and in the 12th District,” said Lenzi. “He may push Medicare access, but when Big Pharma comes to call, Bost will fall in line in the name of profits for his corporate masters.
“Don’t count on ‘No Show’ Mike when it comes time to pass legislation that would keep the high costs of prescription medicines in check” said Lenzi, “Its really a shame that Bost hides from ‘We the People’ who live in the 12th District and then brags about support from special interest groups that seek to hurt those who need help the most. He is clearly out of touch with the needs of his district. It’s just one more reason why it’s time to retire Mike Bost.”

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

Elections are about choosing a future. Our campaign wants to talk about the choices we have for the future. Just a week ago the “We the People” Lenzi Campaign for Congress publicly challenged incumbent Mike Bost to a series of debates (after already posting this challenge to him by certified mail) while raising a number of issues, including healthcare, climate change and the minimum wage. We raised a number of issues regarding differences of opinion on matters of healthcare, climate change and the minimum wage and support for the Heroes Act and state and local jobs for teachers, firemen, police and essential workers.
We now renew our challenge for debates in all twelve counties of the district, a challenge any candidate with the courage of their convictions and confidence of their record would not ignore. We repeat our challenge which will be unending through the course of this campaign. Mr. Bost, you issued the exact same challenge when you first ran for state office back in 1994 against Democratic state representative Gerald Hawkins. If it was a fair challenge to then incumbent Hawkins what is the problem now?
As everyone knows, the country faces serious issues, especially now with the health and economic impacts of the corona virus crisis. The disbanding of the Pandemic Task Force left us exposed to this lethal virus and has now left over 100,000 dead as well as an economic catastrophe. We need a comprehensive reform of our commitment to public health in the wake of this disaster. Can we discuss this in an open forum, virtual or face-to-face as the times will dictate?
Other issues are also urgent. We have not had an increase in the minimum wage or an infrastructure bill in more than 12 years. In the wake of 40 million unemployed we are going to need a big infrastructure and clean energy jobs program. We hear from so many people who say: “Bost has been in office too long, he’s out of touch, doesn’t care about the people, cares only about Big Pharma and his 1 % donor base.” More and more we are hearing this and it appears to be true. Prove us wrong. Let’s you and I commit to debating these issues in every county in our district. How about it? What are you afraid of?

by Ray Lenzi, Democratic Candidate for Congress, Illinois 12th District

Once again Mike “No Show” Bost is dancing to the tune of his out-of-the-district special interest donors like Big Pharma and dark money Super PACs instead of representing the needs of the people.
While hospitals, small businesses, unemployed workers and state and local governments struggle from drowning in debt he, once again, stands against our interests in voting against the Heroes Act and the money to support local governments who may be forced into mass layoffs to the financial devastation of local workers and their families. “We the People” say, “Hey Mike how about some independent thinking! Let’s take care of the people you’re supposed to represent instead of those high rollers.”
Yes, small businesses need more help and so do the unemployed, Illinois state government, local governments from Alton and Belleville to Carbondale and Marion as well as our postal workers. Lost revenue during this crisis is threatening further layoffs that will only make things worse. Why not support a bipartisan bill that will provide dollars to the states and our local health departments to provide the kind of universal testing and tracking to open the economy more fully?
The only answer is that Mike Bost has no independent mind or original ideas for the good of the people. He was silent when Trump said two months ago the virus would be down to “zero” and “go away.” Having isolated himself from the people he now hides behind his wealthy donors and parrots what he is told.
Hey Mike, come out of your hiding place. How about virtual debates by Zoom right now? What are you afraid of? American democracy is about the free exchange of ideas and letting the people decide. A candidate committed to this ideal should welcome debates. You won’t even call out Trump for insisting his name be on the stimulus checks! The first and only President to ever make such a nakedly selfish demand! How shameful. Is there no limit to the corruption you will support?
The coronavirus crisis has exposed the deeply immoral alliance of Bost with the out-of-the-district Big Pharma and their backward political agenda. It’s time for a change. It’s time our people had a congressman in the tradition of Kenny Gray, Paul Simon, Glenn Poshard and Jerry Costello who represents the interests of the people of the district instead of outside special interests and the 1%.

by Raymond Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 12th District
Let’s start with something we can all agree on: There’s too much dirty money in politics. The founding fathers never anticipated that only those with millions of dollars would be eligible to run for the United States Congress.
There are two theories of government. One is that the rich know best and, therefore, should rule because they have the most money. The other school of thought is that the general population of We the People’s interests should be the guiding force of representative government and not those who pledge themselves to do the dirty work of representing outside special interests.
We are challenging incumbent congressman Mike Bost to break his ties with dark and dirty money by agreeing to limit his campaign expenditures to $500,000. We’ve also challenged Mr. Bost (by way of certified letter) to join us in a series of public debates (on line or virtual as the virus will decide) in each of the twelve counties of our district. To date he has ignored our challenges.
First, let’s be clear about some facts. I worked with Mike Bost when he was a state legislator some twenty to thirty years ago. At the time I found him generally responsive and responsible. Now after more than thirty years in office he has become something else again.
He has not held a public town hall meeting in more than three years. In 2019, he had the 412th worst voting attendance record in Congress. That’s out of 435. He accepted more than a million dollars in corporate super-pac money in his last election campaign in 2018. He has brought home no projects of significance after three terms in Congress.
The We the People campaign and movement say it’s time for a change. It’s time for a real representative who will serve the people, meet them in open forums and stand up to the lords of Wall Street and their puppets. We need a representative who will stand up for working families who are struggling hard to make ends meet and trying to provide healthcare for their families.
Mike Bost even opposes common sense healthcare legislation as he has voted 33 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and protections for pre-existing conditions. This would have cost 30 million people in the country their health insurance including 50,000 in our own district. Moreover, it would have cost 3,500 well paid healthcare jobs in the district, equivalent to a nearly $300 million payroll. It seems that Mike Bost cares more about pocketing millions in dark and dirty money from Big Pharma, the Koch brothers and the like than bothering to even hear what We the People have to say.
Mike Bost even opposes an increase in the minimum wage. This in the face of the Covid 19 crisis that many of the lowest paid workers in the district and country are now being revealed as the most “essential workers.” The hospital nurses, CNAs, farmers, field workers, grocery store employees, restaurant workers, postal workers, delivery and truck drivers and big box hardware and lumber staff are those who keep us fed, clothed and sheltered. They need a break.
Mike Bost has become out of touch and, frankly, lazy. He no longer works to represent us because he thinks he can coast to another term at nearly $ 200,000 a year while never even bothering to see what we have to say.
The Covid 19 crisis has taught us a few things. One is that the government can act big and quick when the banks, airlines, luxury cruise ships and big hotel chains are in trouble. Now we need a government that can act big on the challenges of healthcare, global warming, women’s rights and social and economic justice. As the old Bob Dylan song says: “The times they are a’changin”. It’s time for someone to represent We the People. It’s time to retire “No Show” Mike Bost.

Carbondale, Ill. – Ray Lenzi, the Democratic candidate for Congress in Illinois’ 12th Congressional District, has been recognized for his efforts to end gun violence in America.

Mom’s Demand Action has awarded Lenzi with its “2020 Gun Sense Candidate” distinction.

“I want to thank Mom’s Demand Action for this honor,” said Lenzi, “It represents a recognition that solid leadership is needed to create meaningful policy that would lead to increased gun safety and gun violence prevention.”

In an email announcing the designation, Mom’s Demand Action thanked Lenzi for advocating for gun violence protection and making a commitment to govern with gun safety in mind.

“On average, more than 100 Americans are shot and killed every day,” Lenzi noted. “This issue affects every community: 58 percent of American adults, or someone they care for, have experienced gun violence in their lifetime. That’s why this issued must be addressed.”

Mom’s Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety and is the nation’s largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence. With nearly six million supporters and volunteer chapters in every state, Moms Demand Action campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of all Americans.

By Ray Lenzi, Democratic candidate for Illinois’ 12 Congressional District

In the current Coronavirus crisis we must stand united in our campaign to control and defeat the common silent enemy. Some are suggesting that we should emphasize the positive and avoid criticizing the Trump administration, Mitch McConnell and our local congressman Mike Bost.
We will now reiterate the positive positions of our “We the People” campaign. We will continue to critique the current Administration’s failed response to the crisis and carry out the traditional role of oversight of the legislative branch.
On the positive side, our positions on the big issues before the district and American voters can be viewed on our Web site, Facebook and Twitter sites. On some of the major issues we stand as follows:

1) Healthcare: We support the ACA expansion through a vigorous public option or Medicare expansion. We need a well-coordinated national healthcare policy led by the federal government in consultation with state governments and the healthcare and scientific communities. This means federal leadership on planning for testing, tracking and stockpiling of swabs, reagents, test kits and PPE inventory.

2) Climate Crisis: The climate crisis is real and must be addressed with urgent and aggressive action. We have put forward unique proposals for a 50% federal tax credit for renewable energy projects as well as to guarantee future wages of all coalminers and energy workers as jobs are transitioned to the renewable energy economy.

3) Income Inequality and Social Justice: We favor an increase in the minimum wage to $15 per hour, stronger support for labor unions and full employment programs through federal, state and local partnerships. Economic justice means the super-rich must pay their fair share in taxes. At present three people own as much as half (165 million people) of our population. Unjust!

These are our “positive” positions. We will continue to criticize the disastrous and failed policies of the Trump administration. This includes calling out Mike Bost for his failure on all of these issues and his silence on oversights of the administration’s failures.