State Representative La Shawn K. Ford entered public service with his mission to build bridges to opportunity for every family, no matter their zip code. Gun violence has profoundly shaped both his life and work in public service. Born in a housing project to a teenage mother and raised by his grandmother, he knows firsthand that opportunities are not equal and has witnessed the devastating impact of shootings on families and neighborhoods, having lost family members and close friends to gun violence. In 2006, he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives by running a people-powered campaign rooted in trust, accessibility, and the belief that government should open doors—not close them. For the past 18 years, Representative Ford has represented one of the most diverse districts in Illinois, covering communities on the West Side of Chicago and throughout the near west suburbs. He has lived the challenges of those experiences and they continue to drive his commitment to advancing practical, evidence-based solutions that reduce violence and strengthen our communities. Now, he is ready to continue that work in Washington DC. 

Throughout Representative Ford’s legislative career, he has consistently spoken about gun violence as both a public safety and public health crisis. As chair of the Illinois Firearm Task Force and a member of the Illinois Firearm Safety Working Group, he has advocated for responsible firearm laws, stronger enforcement against illegal gun trafficking, and investments in community violence prevention. He knows that constitutional rights and public safety go hand in hand, and if elected, he will continue advocating for stronger enforcement against interstate gun trafficking, expanded community violence intervention programs, increased youth employment and educational opportunities, and improved mental health services, trauma recovery programs, and hospital-based violence intervention initiatives. 

With so much on the line nationwide this fall, it’s clear that we need a new generation of champions leading the way in Washington DC who are ready to fight for safer communities and push back against executive overreach. Illinoisans have a champion like that in Representative La Shawn K. Ford, and it’s imperative that voters send him to Congress this November. With him leading the way, a safer future is within reach.

We are proud to endorse La Shawn K. Ford for the US House of Representatives.