EFFINGHAM – Julie Fortier, the Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Bost for his seat in Congress, discussed everything from universal Medicare to increasing taxes on the rich during a forum on Sunday.
Fortier, of O’Fallon, is a mother, a veteran, a scientist and a community advocate. She has a Ph. D. in biomedicine from St. Louis University. She has volunteered in schools for over 10 years, and she substitute taught off-and-on for 10 years.
Fortier’s campaign said Bost was invited to the event, but didn’t respond.
Fortier took a moment to thank the veterans in the crowd and mention that her campaign was hosting a food drive for local food banks. $160 was raised in addition to the non-perishable food items.
Fortier wants to make healthcare affordable for everyone in the country, but said that can’t happen overnight. The best thing the country can do right now is reinstate subsidies for the Affordable Care Act, Fortier said.
“There should be nobody in the county, nobody in this district, and nobody in this country that goes broke because of their healthcare. The cost of healthcare is astronomical right now. It is insane,” said Fortier. “I expect drugs to cost money. What I don’t expect are the CEOs and the boards of drug companies to bring in billions of dollars to put in their pocket every year. That does not benefit us at all, and that costs us money.”
Fortier also seeks to make higher education more affordable. When education is afforded to people, they can reach their potential, she said.
“We need to make sure that everybody in this country, everybody in this district, everybody in their counties has access to quality, good, public education because that is what allows this country to move forward,” said Fortier. “Could you imagine, in this world, in this entire world, how much more advanced we would be in sciences and math and in the arts if everybody in this world, including this district, had the same opportunities to every aspect of education?”
When it comes to church and state, Fortier believes that there needs to be that separation.
“There’s so many different religions. One may be better than the other for an individual, but we need to keep that out of the government,” said Fortier. “That should never be a part of government. It should never be able to donate to government.”
If elected, Fortier would address gerrymandering by ensuring the congressional districts reflect the percentages demographically of a state. She believes it would be necessary to create a formal, written document.
Fortier also believes the wealthy need to be taxed more, not the working class.
“We have to definitely tax the wealthy. Corporations have had loopholes for too long. The wealthy has found loopholes too long,” said Fortier. “The wealthy should want to be taxed. They’re the ones that own the corporations.”
Fortier also advocated for politicians – such as federal supreme court justices and senators – to have term limits.
“I don’t want to be your congressman for life. Nobody should because in doing that, you’re not getting new perspectives,” said Fortier. “In my opinion, Congress should visually look like the demographics of America. It truly should. We need representation from all corners of all aspects of America because that’s how ideas are innovated. That’s how solutions are made.”
As the question-and-answer wrapped up, local resident Carol Stumborg mentioned how she attended one of Fortier’s events in Marion, Ill. When Stumborg came to Fortier’s Effingham event, the candidate recognized her and remembered her comments.
“She remembered it. She took it to heart. She knew it. She cares about us or should would not be doing this. Mike Bost doesn’t care about us, or he would be here,” said Stumborg. “The other Republicans around here, they don’t care about us. Why aren’t they here? Why couldn’t they come and hear what she’s about? I was so hopeful today that we might have even one Republican, just one.”
“We’re trying to get things up and going because we’re tired of being ignored. We’re tired of not being heard,” continued Stumborg.
Fortier’s website has ways interested people can help aid her campaign, along with upcoming events. To register to vote, visit the county clerk’s office or by visiting ova.elections.il.gov.