Jasimone Ward Announces Run for State Representative of the 27th District
Jasimone Ward Announces Run for State Representative of the 27th District (Chicago, IL) – Jasimone Ward, a Milwaukee native who now calls Illinois home, fell in love with and became an integral member of the Chicago community. After observing her neighbors’, friends’, and family members’ needs going unmet, particularly during the pandemic, she recognized the need for change.
“I’m running because I want to be the change I want to see. If I had a handful of seeds and I kept those seeds in my hands, I’d forever just have seeds. But if I planted those same seeds, I could grow a harvest,” said Ward.
This philosophy was instilled in her by the matriarchs in her family. Her grandmother and great-grandmother, Mrs. Virginia Ward and Rosie Lee Tyler, always said that if someone pours into you, pour into others.
Ward talks about the last conversation she had with her ailing grandmother on her deathbed, and she recalls an important part—one of the many promises she made to her that day.
“I will do everything in this life to get to you in the afterlife. Even if that means sacrificing a comfortable life full of longevity and monetary gains,” said Ward.
“I am not going to live to a ripe age and die old in my bed. I’m not going to live forever, and I’m okay with that. I believe that before we were given this life, we saw everything we were going to go through before we accepted it. I am, however, going to live a life full of purpose and meaning.” Ward continued, “Someone or something is going to be better because I existed, and I am okay with this.”
First-hand Experience
Ward is no stranger to the plethora of issues that impact Chicago’s neighborhoods. Spending time in foster care as a youth and watching her mother’s struggle with addiction influenced her career path as a Mental Health professional, Emergency Medical Technician, and advocate for others.
“I didn’t come from a life of privilege. Heck, there were times when I went without a lot. Where I had to choose between food in my refrigerator or the lights and heat being on,” said Ward. “The first funeral I went to was at four years old, and it was to bury my mother. I’ve lost count of how many funerals I’ve been to since then. Many of them were for babies and children. I’ve been to more funerals than weddings, and that is not okay. Trauma and mental health issues are very real, especially in communities of color. “
A Voice for the People
Ward’s campaign priorities include healthcare inequity, mental health advocacy, small business development, and education—ensuring every neighborhood has fully funded, quality schools and that our educators have adequate resources.
“If children are our future and we do not equip them with the necessary tools to be successful, we fail them. And as we refuse to correct the problem, we continue to fail them, ” Ward remarked.
In addition, public safety is a top priority for Ward. She promises to work to prevent crime by supporting programs for youth, local investments, access to social services and affordable housing, and job training.
“It’s easy to assume that everyone that commits crime are just bad people, rather than entertain the possibility that everyone wants basic needs: room, board, food, shelter. How everyone gets it may vary, but everyone ultimately wants the same thing. So, if an alternative is offered to getting their basic needs met, it would be a deterrent to crime,” Ward said.
A life in service of others and a determination to make the world a better place are at the heart of who Jasimone Ward is.
“Even if I don’t win, I’m going to initiate the conversations to spark change. That alone is success,” remarked Ward.
Jasimone Ward Announces Run for State Representative of the 27th District
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