Faheem to challenge Krishnamoorthi again in Democratic primary
A second challenger to Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg announced his candidacy Tuesday for the 2022 Democratic nomination.
Mohammed Faheem, 65, of Plainfield aims to be on the June 2022 primary ballot with the 47-year-old Krishnamoorthi and 45-year-old challenger Junaid Ahmed of Oak Brook. Faheem filed to run against Krishnamoorthi in 2020, but withdrew from the race after challenges to the signatures on his nominating petitions.
As he did in the last election cycle, Faheem puts job creation at the top of his priority list, having worked in various capacities in the private sector to help people find employment.
"Our next challenge is the pandemic of unemployment and underemployment," Faheem said Tuesday.
Just below that he puts providing Medicare for All, reforming the education system to better meet the needs of the job market, and the environment.
Faheem said he brings more life experience and stronger dedication to these issues than his opponents.
"What good is free education if it doesn't meet the needs of today's employers?" Faheem asked.
All three candidates are immigrants from India. While Ahmed embraces the term progressive, Faheem describes himself as a centrist Democrat who sees Krishnamoorthi as to the right of him, as well as a career politician.
Krishnamoorthi could not be reached for comment Tuesday but two weeks ago released a statement in response to Ahmed's candidacy. In it, he said that his work in Congress is keeping him out of campaign mode for now.
Both Faheem and Ahmed live outside the 8th District, but say they have personal and professional connections there and would live within its borders if elected.
Ahmed already has filed a campaign committee with the Federal Election Commission while Faheem said his plan is to begin his fundraising in earnest now that he's announced his candidacy.
As of March 31, Ahmed's committee had reported total receipts of $215,910, total disbursements of $3,032 and about $212,877 cash on hand. Ahmed said he expects to end the second quarter of the year with approximately $300,000, which he considers a sign of the seriousness of his candidacy and its support.
Krishnamoorthi's campaign committee during the same filing period reported total receipts of $1,248,131, total disbursements of $265,622 and cash on hand in the amount of $9,410,356.
Under its current borders, the 8th District is roughly centered in Schaumburg and includes areas of northwest Cook, northeast DuPage and northeast Kane counties.