Mitchel Davilo

Mitchel Davilo was born in Chicago, Illinois. He has taken classes toward an associate degree at Malcolm X College with an intended graduation date of 2022. His professional experience includes working as an operations managers at a Chicago pizza place. Davilo has been affiliated with the United States Pirate Party and the Socialist Rifle Association.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

A lifelong resident of the Southside of Chicago, I’m running because politicians have forgotten about the working class. I’m running as a member of the United States Pirate Party because they allow me to be the most honest candidate I can be. I can fight for people & defend human rights, without worrying about upholding status quo and riding party lines. I’m a worker, I work for other workers.

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?

Improving Pan-American relationsTax choiceUniversal healthcare

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

US foreign policy in the Americas

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

Jesse Ventura. He’s a guy who’s done a little bit of everything and still stayed true to his “for the people” mentality. Ventura proved you can beat the two party hegemony.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

No Safe Harbor by the United States Pirate Party

Progress and Poverty by Henry George

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

Honestly, transparency, staying true to your morals/beliefs

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I’m not swayed by money. I’m running to make a difference, not get rich.

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

To listen and honor those who sent them to said office.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to be someone who never turned his back on the working class.

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

The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. More specifically, Kanye West saying “George Bush doesn’t care about black people”

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

Worked at an Italian restaurant/pizza place for six months.

What is your favorite book? Why?

“Adam Copeland On Edge”. I am a lifelong wrestling fan, and this was the first autobiography I can remember reading from cover to cover.

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

Ed from Ed, Edd ‘n’ Eddy. He’s a stronger than Goku or Superman and he’s got better one liners than both.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Big Bang by Usted Señalemelo

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

I dropped out of college and have been Home since 2019. I have faced many personal struggles, and in my struggles I have seen others folks struggle. Maybe it’s something about not knowing the path until you’ve walked at yourself, but I truly believe the working class are being attacked in this country.

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

The frequent gerrymandering of congressional districts makes a unique, representative democracy where someone can send “their own” to DC and turns it into a uniquely corrupt governmental body.

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

It can help, but anyone who seeks to make change in the political world shouldn’t be barred or viewed as “unqualified” for a lack of experience.

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

The biggest challenge the US faces over the next decade is not collapsing into violence and political turmoil.

If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

I would like to be in the House Foreign Affairs Committee. More specifically, I’d like to be in the Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Civilian Security, Migration and International Economic Policy.

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

Yes

What are your thoughts on term limits?

Six terms for the House, two terms for the Senate. That’s 12 years each position. I think we need them and that’s how I’d implement them.

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

John Quincy Adams. After his Presidency ended, he returned to Congress as a member of the House of Reps because he cared so much of the political happens of his day and how it affected citizens.

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 work at a pizza place. Seeing my immigrant coworkers take a bus to work everyday from their rental while my boss pays for multiple houses definitely changed may perspective of the working class’s plight. I learned to speak Spanish at work, and speaking of the history of the United States’ relationship with Latin America from the Latin American perspective also made me realize how poor the US has been to our neighbors.

Tell us your favorite joke.

“What is a Pirate’s favorite letter?”

Someone usually halfheartedly goes “Arr”*

“ You’d think it’s R, but it’s really the C”

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

Sometimes. But other times there are things too important to compromise on.

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?

The people send representatives to DC for a reason. Taxes start with us for a reason and you cannot raise revenues without raising taxes. The working class often bears the brunt of taxes, and that will change if I have a role in it.

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1548351761485-0"); });