Ihssane Leckey

Ihssane Leckey obtained a bachelor's degree from Boston University. Her professional experience includes working as a Federal Reserve system regulator.[1]

Ihssane Leckey did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Video submitted to BallotpediaReleased July 10, 2020

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I came to the U.S. from Morocco at the age of 20 with nothing but a small suitcase. I worked sub-minimum wage jobs, where I faced sexual harassment and wage theft, and scraped every dollar I made to put myself through community college. I ultimately earned a scholarship to Boston University and became the first person in my family to graduate from college. In the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, I was disgusted to see our government hand out blank checks to giant banks, leaving people hungry and homeless. I became a Wall Street regulator at the Federal Reserve, where I took on the biggest corporations on behalf of the American people.

As an immigrant who struggled through poverty and as the only woman of color in this race, the fight for social, economic, environmental and racial justice is personal to me. I'm running to fight for working families and bring real change to a system run by corrupt special interests and wealthy white men for too long. We need leaders who represent our diversity and our courage, who aren't afraid to take on corrupt special interests and who know how to get it done.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

As an immigrant who experienced poverty and as the only woman of color in this race, the fight for racial, social, economic, and environmental justice is personal. I'm running to fight for working families and bring real change to a Congress run by corrupt special interests and rich white men for too long. We need leaders who represent our diversity and our courage, who aren't afraid to take on corrupt special interests and who know how to get it done. I've taken on corrupt corporations as a Wall Street regulator and won't accept a dollar from corporate PACs or lobbyists. As the most progressive candidate in this race, I am fighting to create a government and an economy that works for all of us.We are living in a moment of crisis. The covid-19 pandemic has killed thousands, tens of millions have lost their jobs and health insurance, and black and brown Americans are dying at disproportionate rates not only from the pandemic, but at the hands of police. We need progressive and anti-racist solutions to these crises, including Medicare for All, a Green New Deal, free pre-K for all, and reallocating funding from our racist criminal justice system to investments in our communities.

What would be your top three priorities, if elected?

My top three priorities would be passing a Green New Deal, Medicare For All, and Universal Family Care.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As an immigrant, I am passionate about reforming our system to safeguard the rights and dignity of all migrants, and ensuring they are welcome to come to America and thrive here. As someone who lost her father to a stroke after he forwent medication to save money, I am unshakably dedicated to guaranteeing healthcare to all people as a right. As a mom, I must provide a livable planet for my daughter and will do everything in my power to avert the coming climate catastrophe.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor the process described in the Fair Representation Act: Independent Commissions draw multi-member districts which elect representatives using ranked choice voting.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

Having been a special examiner for the Federal Reserve allows me to understand how our government could stand up for working people and how entrenched industries avoid accountability.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

This is our last decade to combat climate change to avert the most catastrophic consequences. We must completely transform our energy economy, while ensuring we prioritize frontline communities and provide a just transition for fossil fuel workers.