Andy Kirchoff believes that "it's time for something better."
In his bid to unseat incumbent Elizabeth Hernandez ( D ) as state representative for the 24th District, the Berwyn-born, openly gay Republican accuses legislators in Springfield of "lackluster representation" that "hurts our local communities" and "the rest of the State of Illinois as well."
In terms of the budget impasse, Kirchoff has gone as far as to accuse elected officials of engaging in a "form of political malpractice."
But how does a gay Republican who is aligned with the party on issues such as abortion, support of the Second Amendment and religious freedom marry that with his belief in LGBT rights, immigration reform and the existence of a "social safety net" when the top of his ticket has been taken over by an alt-right movement that wants the exact opposite?
Windy City Times: Give me some more details on why you decided to run.
Andy Kirchoff: There's a lot of different reasons that culminate into one big event. Running as Republican, needless to say, I've got plenty of disagreements with Representative Hernandez on many issues. I had certainly grown tired of seeing her going unchallenged year-after-year.
For me, the final straw was when I called Rep. Hernandez's office about a particular bill and it went straight to voicemail. The voicemail itself was describing an event that occurred in a Berwyn hospital that had happened three months ago. So it was clear that, for whatever reason, her office manager or whoever was not even checking voicemails. In addition to the fact that I disagree with her on issues, she wasn't event able to provide basic constituent services.
WCT: The budget impasse tops your list of issues. Where do you stand on fault?
AK: I want to get past this whole battle of egos. There's plenty of blame to go around for the current budget fiasco in terms of Rauner and Madigan. You can go over the fact that Rauner should have used line-item veto power for the initial budget that was way out of balance. You can mention the fact that, later on, Speaker Madigan and [state Sen. John] Cullerton couldn't agree on a budget to send to the governor after he said he was going to sign something.
But, ultimately, what got us to this situation is decades and decades of really bad budget priorities in the state of Illinois. It's been going on longer than I've been alive. The pension situation with the $115 Billion and counting in pension liabilities is the reason we have the budget crisis in the first place. Politicians will come and go. I'd much rather focus on the root of the problem and finding solutions that get our budget priorities where they need to be.
WCT: Our current comptroller, Leslie Munger, has proposed no pay until a settlement is reached. Are you for that?
AK: Absolutely. I support the No Budget, No Pay Act. I would gladly sign on as a co-sponsor. I wish my opponent would do the same thing.
WCT: Should you prevail, how will you be able to create an effective coalition around you to gain some momentum on the budget measures you've proposed?
AK: You have to be willing to buck your party leadership and I am willing to do that and identify the people on the other side of the aisle who also want a way out of this mess, who are willing to go the extra mile and demonstrate political courage. I'll be a political "one-term wonder," if that's what it takes. I would love to serve the people of this state as long as I can but, ultimately, it comes down to doing the right thing regardless of what happens to me on a personal and political level.
WCT: You support concealed carry. Do you believe that it is wise in a state where we have so many guns on the streets that have contributed to [more than] 500 homicides in Chicago this year?
AK: I understand the concerns about gun violence and there's no doubt in my mind that guns are not always the answer to a problem and they can escalate it and make it worse. But having a concealed gun helps to save a life. Ultimately, guns are tools and tools can be used in good ways. As far as I'm concerned, providing an avenue for people to defend themselves can only be seen as a good thing. I do support various measures to make sure guns do not fall into the wrong hands. Obviously, I'm not the NRA's poster child but I do believe in the human right to self-defense and know that guns can serve that purpose. There are plenty of people in the LGBT community who own guns.
WCT: You've also expressed support for religious-freedom laws. Where do you stand on those [laws] that have been proposed or enacted in other states that restrict LGBTQ rights?
AK: I'm a very strong supporter of freedom of speech and freedom of religion. I think they are human rights. LGBTQ rights are human rights, too, and I want to find a way to protect both. I know the people who most vocally express their support of religious freedom laws tend to be odds with the LGBT community and that makes it hard to find common ground but I really do think there are legitimate concerns on both sides and I want to make sure that both are respected. Someone at least has to try.
I know it doesn't score me many points with the LGBTQ community. There are some who are downright furious with me for even defending [religious freedom restoration acts]. But, as a public servant, you've got to do the right thing, regardless of what it costs you politically.
WCT: Donald Trump has flip-flopped on LGBT issues…..
AK: On everything, Gretchen.
WCT: True enough. So where are you on the leader of your ticket?
AK: I've been a vocal never-Trump proponent from the very beginning. I'm in a district that's majority Latino and, as you can imagine, Trump is politically toxic over here in spite of everything else. For me, the real issue with Donald Trump is that he is the antithesis of public service. We're dealing with a man who brags about the fact that he is in this for himself. He says things that, most of the time, can't even be done. The kind of rhetoric that comes from him is stuff that I expect from third world dictators.
Visit AndyFor24.com .
Letter to the editor regarding Andy Kirchoff - gay Republican running for Illinois House 24th District seat
Dear Editor,
I am writing regarding your article about Andy Kirchoff, a gay Republican running for the Illinois State House seat in District 24, which covers parts of Cicero, Berwyn, Riverside, Brookfield and the west side of Chicago. I interviewed Andy in May for the BUNGALO Facebook site (Berwyn United Neighborhood Gay and Lesbian Organization).
Andy told me that he would have voted against legalizing state recognition of same sex marriage if he had been in the Illinois State Legislature at the time. Andy has also stated that he believes for profit businesses such as caterers and bakers should be able to discriminate against gays and lesbians if the owners of those for-profit businesses have deeply held religious beliefs against homosexuality or same sex marriage. Finally, Andy has stated that he believes that organizations such as Catholic Charities should be able to discriminate against gay couples seeking adoption services, even when the tax payers for the state of Illinois are paying Catholic Charities for those services.
What worries me is this - If Andy is elected, he may introduce a religious freedom bill similar to the one passed in Indiana a few years ago. Because Andy is gay, it would give cover to homophobes trying to take away the gains in civil rights laws that were passed in Illinois in January of 2005.
While Andy is openly gay, his political views are definitely anti-gay, despite his protestations to the contrary.
Ted Korbos
