URBANA – A candidate for Illinois’ 13th congressional district is now running as a third-party write-in candidate.
Chibu Asonye, 27 grew up in Chicago and graduated from the University of Illinois in 2018. She currently serves as a residence director at the university.
Hi @AOC @briebriejoy, I'm Chibu Asonye! I am a down-ballot candidate for Illinois Greens, running for US House Rep for #IL13. Due to the unreasonable ballot restrictions for minor parties, I'm a write-in like @DrJillStein in Illinois. The Greens have a legacy in Illinois. https://t.co/QcPOLCtOSs pic.twitter.com/yFT2b9yi9g
— Chibu Asonye, Congressional Candidate IL 13 (@Chibu4illinois) September 17, 2024
“I love this place,” Asonye said. She wanted more action from her representatives, so she joined the green party.
She has been involved in local efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza, rent control, fighting for clean water in her district, and “building coalitions with folks in Chicago and Springfield and in the Metro East area.”
Asonye is challenging incumbent Democrat Niki Budzinski, largely for her approach to Israel’s war in Gaza. This includes Budzinski not calling for a ceasefire in Congress and supporting U.S. military aid to Israel.
“When we think about why I’m okay with running against Nikki Budzinski, it’s because I do believe that she has a philosophy that will lead us into war,” she explained.
Most recently, Budzinski voted for a bill to provide more aid to Israel in April. She expressed support for a “mutually agreed upon” ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, which would include the release of all hostages, the State Journal-Register reported in May.
Budzinski also stated in the past that she has “prioritized the need for humanitarian relief within Gaza.”
Asonye is now a write-in candidate, because she fell short of the 12,000 signatures needed to qualify for the election ballot.