As conservatives, we look across the political spectrum in the United States and most of us pinpoint California and New York as the two primary states which desperately need reformation and revival. But if that is true, then Illinois is a close third.

Corruption, dark politics, and gerrymandering are terms that have become synonymous with politics in the state of Illinois. Home of the mafia and organized crime, there is a spiritual root of corruption and dishonesty which runs in the fabric of the state that needs to be removed.

View Comments (12)

While the Chicago area is heavily populated with Democrats, if you look at the rest of the population of Illinois, it is predominantly Republican. In fact, at present the state is almost 50/50 Republican to Democrat.

Although Illinois has gone Democratic in the past six presidential elections, and went to Hillary Clinton in 2016, it is positioned and ripe to flip red.

One of the behind-the-scenes maneuvers of the Democrats to control states is the gerrymandering of districts. The 17^th District of Illinois is a prime example of that tactic. One look at a map of the district reveals the lengths the Democrats went to capture it as the map was redrawn to shift the percentage of Republicans in the previously “red” district to include a greater area of liberal-leaning areas in the quad-city area. The map of the district now looks like a “V” as it intentionally excluded much of the Republican-dominated areas.

In spite of the Democrat’s efforts, however, the area is close to swinging back from blue to red.

Although President Trump didn’t win the state, he did win the 17th district in the last election. And while the current congressional leader of the area is a Democrat, the district is trending Republican as we head into the 2020 election season. Why?

Meet Esther Joy King, a young Republican (33) who threw her hat into the ring to reclaim the district. In a recent interview, King described the area in which she is running: “The area is made up largely of agriculture, manufacturing, and labor positions. I listen to the people and can tell you there is a strong narrative that they are not happy with our government at either the state or federal level. Things are broken and corrupt. There is a hunger for change and you can feel it when you talk to the people.”

“Ask anyone in this district and they will probably say they want ‘better representation, more development and to have a voice,’ which right now they don’t,” she continued.

There is a growing frustration in our land as congressional leaders, voted into office to represent the people, choose to vote for their own ideas once in office. Take Mitt Romney’s recent vote to convict the president during the impeachment trial, even though the people of his state expressed their desire to acquit the President.

That same disenfranchisement with constituents also happened in Illinois’ 17^th district as Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who ran as a centrist Democrat, moved far left after entering Congress.

“Her vote no longer represents the views of the majority of her constituents,” King stated.

“I believe even the Democrats who live here would say they have not benefited from the Democratic policies and are recognizing President Trump as someone who is willing to speak for them and fight for them,” she continued.

King lives in a key area of the state because it is considered a “pivot” county.  A “pivot” county is one which voted for Obama in 2008 and 2012, but then flipped to vote Republican in 2016. In the state of Illinois there are 102 counties, and 11 are pivot counties.

Of those 11 pivot counties, nine are located in King’s 17^th district! It makes the district in which King is running ripe to pivot red. And perhaps as the dust settles on the tumultuous impeachment debacle, even more of the state might follow.

When asked what made her decide to run, King responded, “The 2018 election was a key moment in my life as I saw how many young women who held a far left ideology run and subsequently win in their region. When I looked at their experience and knowledge, I realized I was just as qualified, if not more, based on my experience.

“I was raised in Juarez, Mexico with parents who were missionaries. They instilled in us a strong belief in God and a responsibility to impact our communities. I believe the decisions I have made as an adult have been with that in mind.

After college I went to Afghanistan as a civilian with the United Nations. I then attended law school and upon graduation joined a law firm. I was hired by the State of Illinois as the Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Technology. I started my own company and eventually enlisted in the Army. Since then I have worked as a civilian attorney in the Quad Cities.

In these positions I had the opportunity to talk with people in the area and could sense their growing frustration in the political landscape of our state. In a conversation with a client in 2018 while I was practicing law, he said, “If you are going to run for office, you have to be 197% in. Are you?” “Yes!,” I replied and I have never looked back.

I decided that if I’m not willing to stand up for the values I believe in and be part of the solution, then I am merely standing on the sidelines. I was raised to jump in and be part of the solution. And so, I jumped.”

How you can help!

This district needs intensified prayer. Here are some specifics areas in which to pray:

1. Pray for Esther Joy King in her race against Democratic incumbent, Cheri Bustos. The Quad Cities 17^th district is the top targeted race for the Republic National Committee for 2020. Bustos holds a leadership position in the Democrat Party and is considered a right hand to Nancy Pelosi. Pray for Esther as the campaign heats up that she will have the energy, volunteers, and finances needed to run this race well.

2. Pray for voters to vote for godly, biblical values in this election..

3. There has been a history of corruption in Illinois from the early days as home to the mob, to the present day “irregularities,” especially in the Chicago area. It is time that we retake the land. Pray for Illinois, that corrupted officials will be voted out and replaced with those who will heed God’s voice.

For additional information about Esther Joy King or to find out how you can help, go to: estherforcongress.com.

Karen Hardin is an intercessor, author, minister, and literary agent. Her work has appeared on USA Today, World Net Daily, Intercessors for America, Charisma, CBN.com, The Elijah List, etc. For additional information, you can contact her at www.prioritypr.org or www.karenhardin.com.