Democrat Marsha Williams makes bid for Congress in 16th District

U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger has had a number of Republicans announce their intent to challenge him in the primary. Now, a Democrat has emerged as a possible candidate for his seat.

Brand New Congress, an organization dedicated to electing progressives across the country, is supporting Marsha Williams and her campaign for a congressional seat in the 16th Congressional District.

The organization, which endorsed progressive representatives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Jamal Bowman and Cori Bush, launched in 2016 and supports candidates fighting for progressive issues such as universal health care, increased wages and workplace protections, and a Green New Deal.

“Brand New Congress has been fighting on behalf of progressive candidates and issues for years, and I’m honored to have their support,” Williams said. “As a lifelong resident of the district, I’ve seen too many working-class families go underrepresented and unheard. I look forward to working with Brand New Congress where together we will work to raise wages, improve our schools, transform our crumbling infrastructure and fight for lifesaving issues such as affordable health care for all.”

It is not clear how the districts will be redrawn or how that will affect the congressional races in Illinois. Kinzinger defeated La Salle Democrat Dani Brzozowski in the general election in 2020, garnering 64.7% of the vote. James Marter, Jack Lombardi, Teresa Pfaff, Geno Young, Gene Koprowski and Catalina Lauf are among the Republicans vying for the seat in the primary election.

Williams, who resides in Channahon, is a lifelong resident of the 16th District and provides job training to low-income individuals and families. She was a single mother for many years working multiple jobs.

Williams said she will fight for affordable health care for all, tuition-free colleges and the Green New Deal, which advocates say would create millions of jobs and fix infrastructure.

She is a graduate of Purdue Global University with a Bachelor of Science in legal studies.