As the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) continue to back candidates winning primary elections of the Democratic Party, members of Lakefront DSA, the DSA’s eastern Lake County chapter, is considering how to approach the Nov. 3 general election.
Cameron Crombie of Waukegan, a co-chair of Lakefront DSA, said the group endorses candidates, will knock on doors and make phone calls to help get them elected if they support issues like affordability. He considers it the primary concern this fall.
“A lot of things are becoming unaffordable for the working class,” Crombie said. “We have to figure out how taxes are going to be spent. We want to see ways to get additional funds without increasing taxes on the working class.”
State Rep.. Daniel Didech, D-Buffalo Grove, is the chair of the Lake County Democrats. He too sees affordability as the biggest concern for people in the county. He also welcomes help from like-minded people.
“From (New Yorik City Mayor Zohran) Mamdani to (former U.S. Sen. Joe) Manchin (D-West Virginia), we’re a big tent party,” Didech said. “We’re very open to anyone who shares our core values.”
“We will work with people who share our values and are right on the issues we believe in,” Crombie said.
Didech and Crombie are currently among the members of their respective groups helping develop campaign plans for the Nov. 3 general election in Lake County, as well as ways to play a role elsewhere.
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Between the rising price of gasoline, groceries and more, Didech also said affordability is the key issue for voters in the fall election. He points to policies and actions of President Donald Trump as the primary reason.
“The impact of the war in Iran on gas prices is very concerning,” Didech said. “Tariffs are increasing prices in all sectors (of the economy), making housing and groceries more expensive.”
Though the DSA takes positions on numerous issues, Crombie said locally Lakefront DSA is not running candidates in the November election and did not do so in the March primary. The local scope is narrower.
“Our issues are affordability and getting corruption out of politics,” Crombie said.
Lakefront DSA is an affiliate of the DSA for eastern Lake County, from the Wisconsin state line to Lake Cook Road. Crombie said the boundaries of chapters are established by ZIP codes. Lakefront DSA primarily covers areas east of Milwaukee Avenue.
West Suburban IL DSA is responsible for western Lake County. Crombie said he hopes eventually Lakefront DSA will oversee the entire county. For now, the local group will concentrate on county and municipal elections.
With the death of Lake County Board Vice Chair Mary Ross Cunningham on June 23, Crombie said Lakefront DSA may work to help elect her successor, Democrat Brandon Ewing. He was appointed to complete Cunningham’s term on Aug. 11 and slated by the Democrats to run in the fall. Cunningham was unopposed. The GOP has yet to slate a candidate.
Crombie said individual members of Lakefront DSA will likely go door to door for like-minded candidates, make phone calls, or both. They will also make calls for out-of-town candidates as they did to help Michigan state Rep. Donavon McKiney, D-Detroit, gain the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives.
So far this election season, Didech said Democrats are making an effort to increase the number of positions their members have in the Illinois General Assembly and on the Laike County Board. Members of the U.S. Congress who represent parts of the county are Democrats, as are the countywide officers running in the fall.
“We’ve already flipped one seat,” Didech said, referring to the County Board’s 3rd District where Ann Maine, R-Lincolnshire, did not seek reelection. The GOP did not slate a candidate, and Democrat Wendy S. Meister is unopposed. “We want to flip more.”