February 10, 2025
Local News | Kane County Chronicle
Local News

Local nonprofit group endorses Martha Paschke for state representative

We Can Lead Change Fox Valley supports Geneva resident for Illinois' 65th District

By KANE COUNTY

Martha Paschke, a candidate for the 65th Illinois Representative district, answers a question duirng a candidate's forum at Batavia City Hall on Jan. 30. The forum was hosted by the League of Women Voters and the Batavia Chamber of Commerce. She is being endorsed by We Can Lead Change Fox Valley. (Sandy Bressner)

ST. CHARLES – We Can Lead Change Fox Valley is endorsing of Martha Paschke for the 65th District in the Illinois House of Representatives in the March 17 Democratic primary election, according to a news release from the organization.

“Martha is a natural leader in our community who has pushed for common sense gun laws as a co-founder of our local Moms Demand Action group and is a tireless champion of women’s reproductive rights,” stated WCLC-FV co-founder Sue Sanders of St. Charles, in the news release. “She’s a working mom who truly understands the needs of our community."

According to the release, Paschke has lived in the Fox Valley for 18 years working as a middle school social studies teacher and a childbirth educator and labor doula, which is a professional who is trained in aiding childbirth.

Paschke currently works in mental health care and serves as secretary of the Geneva Library Foundation. She has been an active leader in her church for 18 years, the release stated.

“When action is needed, Martha is never on the sidelines, she is front and center working to improve our community and meet residents’ needs,” Sanders stated in the release. “Our organization is excited to get behind Martha’s efforts to represent us in Springfield.”

The release states that Sanders said that what really impresses many WCLC-FV members about Paschke’s leadership abilities is the way she’s able to connect people with ways they can get involved and make a difference.

Paschke’s efforts included supporting refugee families in the area through World Relief and educating residents about advocating for sensible safety legislation while respecting constitutional rights through Moms Demand Action.

“When things need to get done, you can count on Martha Paschke,” Sanders stated.

In addition to WCLC-FV, Paschke has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood, Personal PAC, the Illinois AFL-CIO, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the Illinois Federation of Teachers, G-PAC Gun Violence PAC, the National Organization for Women, and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Naperville, according to the news release.

Paschke currently lives in Geneva with her husband, Jeremy, who is a high school physics teacher, and her three children.

The district includes portions of Huntley, Hampshire, Pingree Grove, Elgin, South Elgin, St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia. Paschke is vying with Mohammad "Mo" Iqbal for the Democratic nomination in the March 17 primary election.

The winner will face incumbent State Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-Geneva in the Nov. 2 general election.

For Information about We Can Lead Change Fox Valley is available at www.wecanleadchange.com, or contact wecanleadchange@gmail.com.