Northfield, IL-- Addressing voters at the Democrats of Northfield Township’s candidate endorsement session on Sunday afternoon, Phil Andrew, candidate for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, said that just days earlier he had been denied the opportunity to present his qualifications to the group and formally seek its endorsement.

The Democrats of Northfield Township only extended an invitation to Andrew after Northfield voters voiced their concerns to the organization's leadership. Ultimately, only 4 out of the 15 candidates on the ballot were included for consideration. “Politicians gaming endorsements by chilling participation is a disgraced Mike Madigan game, MAGA is literally weaponizing. To battle corruption and restore trust in government, we must bring integrity and transparency. Those aren’t skills you learn as careerists in Illinois politics,” said Andrew.

The decision to arbitrarily invite preferred or perceived “top” candidates, reflected a familiar pattern in Illinois politics where decisions are made behind closed doors, lacking transparency, and designed to limit participation rather than including more voices and voters.

“This rigged system rewards career politicians seeking their next promotion rather than leaders with real-world experience and practical solutions to problems facing our district from affordability and healthcare to public safety and protecting our democracy. It’s the same politics as usual, and it’s precisely what alienates voters,” Andrew said.

“At a time of national and political crisis, we should be bringing in new leaders to build the party—not elected officials who already have taxpayer-funded jobs. Our community deserves a leader with one focus: serving the good, hard working people of the 9th District,” said Andrew. “I look forward to being that leader.”