June is a time for PRIDE and PREPARATION.
As Team Julie prepares for fall campaign season, Julie took a moment to share her thoughts about Pride Month with the good folks at Fox Valley Rising. Below is her contribution to their June newsletter. Be sure to check out FVR’s website and socials to keep up with numerous ways you can get involved to help increase and celebrate inclusiveness in our community. Julie will be at many of their events!
– – – – –
For me, Pride Month is deeply personal. I came out later in life after spending years navigating a male-dominated corporate world where being open about who I was did not feel safe or accepted. This was certainly not possible for job security or growth. Like many people of my generation, I learned to stay quiet and protect myself rather than live openly.
Today, I am proud to live authentically with my partner of 25 years, married for 11. Finding the courage to finally live openly changed my life, and it also strengthened my belief that everyone deserves to be seen, respected, and valued for exactly who they are.
That belief is one of the reasons I decided to run for Kane County Board District 11. I refuse to stay silent when members of my community or my constituents are targeted with hate, discrimination, or fearmongering. Public service should be about standing up for people, especially those whose voices are too often ignored or attacked.
We are fortunate to live in a community that for the most part is supportive of the LGBTQ community, but there are still many challenges ahead — especially for our trans community, which continues to face relentless attacks and misunderstanding. So we must support one another and speak up for all members of our community.
I am committed to continuing the fight for equality, dignity, and respect for everyone, including women and the trans community. We are all connected, and none of us are truly free unless all of us are free.
Pride Month is about honoring the struggles of the past, recognizing the ongoing fight for equality today, and celebrating the love, courage, and humanity we all share.
If you’re part of a group that’s called “other”— a group that does not get the chance to be the center stage — build your own stage, and make them see you. ~Beyonce
Happy Pride Month!!
A CHOSEN VOICE. A GRATEFUL VOICE.
Some of Julie’s most involved supporters gathered on the night of the primary election to monitor the results as the votes came in. The group was full of excitement when they got word that Julie had come out ahead.
With humility and gratitude, Julie spoke about how much it means to her that she has been chosen as the democratic candidate for Kane County Board District 11 and that so many vocal people and organizations made this opportunity possible. Surrounded by countless members of team Julie who had knocked doors, hosted meet&greets, attended functions, written holiday cards, delivered signs, made phone calls, managed her website, and generally been stewards of the campaign, Julie shared that – regardless of vote count – she felt like she had already won because of the “friends for life” that she had made along the way.
As she later shared on social media, “I’m incredibly grateful to the voters of Kane County District 11 and everyone who supported me on this journey. I am deeply humbled to have earned your trust. I don’t take that lightly, and I’m ready to get to work as your Voice for All, focused on finding real solutions for our community. I love this community so much, and I am committed to doing everything I can to keep it one of the best places anywhere to live.”
If you showed your support for Julie with a yard sign, you are welcome to keep it in anticipation of displaying your support again in the fall, or you can reach out to CONTACT.JulieForKane@gmail.com to arrange pickup. Please do not throw them away – we want to reuse and eventually recycle them responsibly. Thank you!
A VOICE FOR MANY
Why is Indivisible Fox Valley supporting Julie?
Julie is listening to local organizations like Indivisible Fox Valley Rising (FVR) who care about the environment, taxes, healthcare, and fairness in Kane County—and she will bring their voices with her to the Board.
FVR is a volunteer group of your Fox Valley neighbors who share progressive values.
MISSION: To unite and empower our community to advocate for positive social and political change, striving for a more just and inclusive society.
VISION: To build a strong, engaged community that drives meaningful progress, fosters civic engagement, and stands up for justice and equality for all.
Thank you, Indivisible Fox Valley Rising, for your efforts to bring better government to our county, state, and nation.
A VOICE FOR VETERANS
Why is Air Force veteran and Geneva resident Jason Watson supporting Julie?
I support Julie because she shows up when it actually matters, when it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, and real. She doesn’t stay on the sidelines where it’s warm and safe. She comes out into the cold with activists, standing there while people speak out about the fear and harm caused by ICE and this administration. When it would be simpler to stay home, she shows up anyway.
And when you’re out there, cold, exhausted, and angry, fighting for basic dignity and accountability, you feel it. You notice who stands beside you. Who listens without judgment. Who stays when it gets hard, instead of folding under conservative pressure. Seeing Julie stand shoulder to shoulder with her potential constituents sends a simple, powerful message. You’re not alone. I see you. I’m here with you.
That’s what Julie represents to me. Not politics as usual, not empty words, but real presence. The kind that makes you believe deep down that this is someone who will stand up for you now and still be there when it really counts in the future.
Thank you, Jason, for putting into words what so many of us feel!
A VOICE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Julie is proud to be endorsed by Sierra Club Illinois!
With our communities and environment under attack from the Trump Administration, Sierra Club Illinois recognizes how vital it is to elect people with strong environmental commitments and proven track records to help deliver for our communities and environment at the state and local level.
Sierra Club Illinois follows a rigorous endorsement process that includes members from across the state and evaluates candidates’ voting record, policy positions, and their ability to win and be effective public servants. This is truly an honor!
As an Iowa farm girl and former park ranger, the environment has always been near and dear to Julie’s heart. Visit the Focus Areas section of the website to learn more about Julie’s plan to keep Environmental Protection top of mind as she serves the community — and our environment.
Thank you, Sierra Club Illinois, for the recognition!
Julie’s Focus Areas
Public Safety
Human Rights
Fiscal Responsibility
Economic Stability
Environmental Protection
