Patch Candidate Q&A: Sargis Sangari, 9th Congressional District

SKOKIE, IL — Republican challenger Sargis Sangari, of Skokie, is facing incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, of Evanston, in the general election. Both candidates were unopposed in their respective primaries.

Sangari is a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and founder of the Near East Center for Strategic Engagement and the United Assyrian Appeal. He was runner-up in the 2018 Republican Party primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. Schakowsky has represented district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1999 and is currently a chief deputy whip in the Democratic Party caucus.

The 9th District includes a portion of Chicago's North Side and all or part of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Niles, Park Ridge, Rosemont, Skokie, Wilmette and Winnetka.

On Saturday, both candidates appeared at a candidates' forum hosted by League of Women Voters Arlington Heights-Mount Prospect-Buffalo Grove Area.

Patch sent a candidate questionnaire to each campaign. The answers below were submitted on behalf of Sangari's campaign and have not been abridged or otherwise edited.

Sargis Sangari

Age (as of Election Day)
51

Town/City of Residence
Skokie

Office Sought
U.S. House

Party Affiliation
Republican

Family
Helen Sangari (spouse, 48), 4 children, two boys and two girls, all attend public schools in the district.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?
No

Education
DePaul University, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, Regional Studies Course, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Command General and Staff Officer Course, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Certification Anti-Terrorism Level I & II Officer and Executive Certification in Counterterrorism and Technology, ICT, Israel, Herzliya.

Occupation
CEO Near East Center for Strategic Engagement (necse.net)

Campaign website
https://votesangari.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office
None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue differs from person to person among my constituents. My job is to address all issues. The above is the reason why my door will always be open to everybody.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Black lives do matter. People have a right to protest peacefully, but when a peaceful protest turns violent, that is a criminal matter.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

Defunding the police is an absolutely ridiculous statement. Fewer police only embolden criminals, and if we allow this than we will never have a safe place to live or to go.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

We are in a unique situation that has not happened before. We must rely on science and keep the country moving forward through effective and sound leadership decisions.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am for economic development where the opposition believes in large government and stagnation.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

Jan Schakowsky, (current incumbent), directs her service to a particular segment of the district, but the 9th Congressional district is 700,000 plus strong and has many segments to it which are underserved by her. Jan Schakowsky underserves the Business community in the 9th, especially business in Evanston, where she lives. It is the Business community that provides the tax dollars which brings about the economic opportunity for the entirety of the segments in my Congressional district. Her underserving of the business district does not give the business community a voice. The same community that is the only segment that brings about economic opportunity for everybody in the 9th district. All of the above is the reason why Jan Sckowsky does not represent the middle class.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Stimulate business, healthcare, and public safety.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Over the course of six years of continuous combat deployment, surviving 7 IED’s, having earned the combat action badge, serving a diplomatic assignment in Kuwait and several other deployments to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Central America, in 20 plus years of tangible, life and death consequences based leadership serving in the U.S. Army Infantry and Special Operation Forces I showed my fellow Americans how I can accomplish complicated tasks in austere environments and how much I love. YES…LOVE our country, the United States of America!

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

Bringing in economic opportunity fighting for infrastructure improvement and rebuilding, and providing unrivaled service to all of my constituents.

Why should voters trust you?

I have served my country and community. My record of service speaks for itself.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I am fiscally conservative. I will eliminate waste, and I will shift those monies toward economic development and equal opportunity incentives.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Speak to everybody! That is the only way you will truly understand what is going on.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Fiscally conservative and socially moderate and racially blind, given everybody deserves a chance.