Mark Fredrickson

Mark Fredrickson was born in Danville, Illinois. He graduated from the Schlarman Academy. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in 1980 and a graduate degree from the Keller Graduate School of Management in 2000. His career experience includes working as an IT consultant and lawyer. He has been affiliated with the Northwest Area Citizens Organization.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My future constituents will find me to be among the best prepared of all of the seventeen Democratic Primary Election candidates.

I was 9ne of only a very few to endorse the incumbent Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky in 1998–as a precinct captain to the Chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party.

In our youth, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky & I palled around in my Danville, Illinois hometown. She taught me about the ERA, EPA & the Vietnam War. Jan married my fellow Danville High School alumnus Robert Creamer.

I’m the only candidate who shared the Democratic Primary Election ballot with Barack Obama & Rahm Israel Emanuel. That campaign enlightened me to the substantive issues which should serve me well.

In the depths of the Great Recession, I learned about how to be compassionate to those evicted from their homes.

More recently, I helped feed impoverished senior citizens in the building where I live on the Chicago Lakeshore campus of Loyola University.

Like the Jesuit missionaries who preceded me, I have petitioned in every quarter of the Ninth Congressional District.

When I meet a new acquaintance, they appear to keep an open mind about my affiliation & are not surprised when I introduce myself as favorably influencing virtuous young men & women.

That gives me the unique opportunity to ingratiate myself to Congressional leaders to the future benefit of my constituents.

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?

One must exhibit compassion to listen & have the courage to lead through these tumultuous times.The Democratic Party must extend its reach as preached by my congressional ballot associate—Rahm Israel Emanuel.Investing in future economic growth should be one of the leading priorities.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Veterans Affairs, consumer finance, transportation & upholding Constitutional rights

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Congressional Speaker Uncle Joe Cannon who graced the front page of the first ‘Time’ magazine.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

One must have the compassion to listen & then exhibit persuasive leadership.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The Cannon Office Building is named after the long-serving Speaker ‘Uncle Joe’ Cannon who hailed from my Danville, Illinois hometown. So, the responsibilities of my office should come very naturally to me.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Balancing the Federal budget.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Man on the Moon. Old enough to win a science Fair exhibit that promoted the same.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Delivering ‘The Chicago Daily News.’ Three years during which I won multiple sales contests that led me to Montreal, Miami, the Bahamas & the US Air Force Academy.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The memoir written by my law firm client Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He reminds us to be humble about that which is beyond our comprehension.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

My father, a World War II US Marine, helped turn the tides of America’s Sputh Pacific campaign on the beach of Guadalcanal & Saipan. I was born on the decennial anniversary of Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi’s American flag raising.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Rising to the expectation of my parents—the Greatest Generation.

What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?

It’s the most accountable to the people.

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

I’ve supported the legal practice of one of Washington D.C.’s leading law firms, served in the Cook County Democratic Party slate making process & researched diligently many of the leading issues facing Congress.

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

Balancing the Federal budget since the national debt increases by $1Trillion every four months.

Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?

I’ll leave my accomplishment in the capable hands of my constituents.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I helped lead the 1994 ‘Eight is Enough’ Term Limits campaign that garnered the signature support of more than one million voters. It became the centerpiece of ‘The Contract With America.’

Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

My adolescent acquaintance Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky.

Both sitting representatives and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I see the hunger in the skeletal frames & deprived eyes of my senior citizen neighbors. Until I lived in close proximity, I didn’t appreciate that the month last longer than the money when many must live on just a few hundred dollars each month.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Getting to yes encourages E.F. Hutton style quiet conversation. Riding horseback competitively in the Western edge of this Ninth District, I learned that you must become a ‘horse whisperer’ to convince your steed to do as he needs & as you please.

The Constitution says that all bills for raising revenue must originate in the House. What role would this power play in your priorities if elected?

I would extend myself to Congressional leadership to remind them of the obligation to limit spending to available tax revenues.

How should the U.S. House use its investigative powers?

To make better legislation. I’m opposed to so-called ‘law fare.’

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The constituents of the Ninth Congressional District.

Candidates hear many personal stories from voters. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching or memorable?

I defended a political nomination petition challenge that inspired me to speak out against the intimidation of a breast cancer survivor.

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

The ‘Eight is Enough’ term limits campaign.

What role should the United States government have in the development or use of artificial intelligence?

My Silicon Valley Salesforce practice should make me a subject matter expert on this topic.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in the United States?

I’ve worked as a deputy registrar & would favor verification .