I’m Bethany Johnson – Progressive Democrat, trans woman, and former roller derby skater -running for Congress in Illinois’ 9th District. AMA!

13 comments

1. Hi Bethany. How excited are you about others like Zohran Mamdani, Graham Platner and Francesca Hong running for elected positions? Do you feel there is potential for these kinds of politicians to be the face and majority within the democratic party in the near future?

   Good luck in your primary!

2. No war but class war – confirm or deny.

3. What are your stances on fellow candidate for this seat Kat Abughazaleh? In a somewhat related question, how concerned are you that either of you will split the progressive vote and allow one of the more established candidates to win?

4. So I know you are in a very crowded race and face an unlikely chance. If you had to endorse another candidate you are running against, who would it be?

5. What part of being in congress do you currently feel unprepared for, what are you doing to get ready?

6. HI Bethany! What was your derby name? What team did you play for?

7. Your platform is very impressive, and I like the reference of putting social workers in your office staff. What other career paths and industries do you think should be represented in national politics?

8. Given that statistically that across the country, over a third are conservative, over a third are moderate, and under a third are liberal, how are you planning to reach the needs and concerns of people who share the opposite of your political ideology?

   How are you going to handle cases where your constituency wants one path for that district, when/if that path goes against your own political/moral/ethical standings?

   How are you going to show you are willing to discuss with an open heart/mind opposing political views when in office?

9. How do you cope with the stress of the increasingly anti-trans and anti-LGBT in general sentiment of the US?

   Personally as a cis gay man it’s been infuriating watching people who clearly represent *none* of us spout off nonsense like “LGB without the T” as if our history or struggles aren’t intertwined. I refuse to rock with any cis LGBT people if they aren’t inclusive towards trans folk – it just disgusts me.

10. So how do you feel about Sarah McBride voting to honor Charlie Kirk?

11. Hi Bethany

    I know that you have worked on political campaigns but why do you believe that not having any political office experience is an asset for you?

    We know that not having political experience wasn’t an optimal situation for the current POTUS.

    Second, what does universal healthcare look like for you?

    If you can’t get M4A then will a public option that was rejected by Obama be good enough for you?\\

    Finally, what is your plan to get money out of politics?

12. Not actually asking a question, just wanted to wish you all the best of luck and a smokin’ hot election win! 🙂
    Wish we had people like you in Florida!!

13. What will happen if the government gets shut down indefinitely?

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