Stephanie "Kennedy" Sailor is not your everyday candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Never heard of her? You're in the majority. The 31-year-old running against Democratic incumbent Jesse Jackson, Jr., in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District will not be celebrating victory Nov. 2, but it's time we pay her her dues -- nobody else is paying for her campaign.
Sailor is running a campaign with $0, entirely on the Internet with the goal of standing up to "elite politicians like Jesse Jackson, Jr."
To what party does she belong? She doesn't mention, wanting voters to take a look at her views -- not her party's platform.
"I strongly embrace the concept of self-ownership. The government doesn't own you. Victims of The State fuel my involvement in politics," Sailor said.
What's the "Kennedy"? Nothing but an oxymoron signifying how she is the opposite of high-powered political dynasties like the Kennedys, or even the Jacksons.
Sailor has not been afraid to take on the staunch liberals of Illinois, facing off against Jan Schakowsky here in District 9 back in 2002, running then as Stephanie "vs. the Machine" Sailor -- a jab at the big government ways of Schakowsky and other House Democrats. She only garnered three percent but earned a lot of respect and, in the spirit of full disclosure, the vote of yours truly.
A self-proclaimed recovering Democrat, Sailor isn't offering up a silly outsider campaign -- instead, she is offering a throwback to politicians who wanted to serve their constituency, not bring home paychecks, notoriety and five BMWs like Jackson.
"Jesse's failure is that his top priority is to remain a career politician, rather than to truly help people. Jesse pushes for people's dependency upon the government," Sailor said.
How is she different? For one, her platform is simple: to uphold her oath to the United States Constitution.
In an era where John Kerry's campaign publishes a 263-page book entitled "Our Plan for America," simplicity is frowned upon in today's politics. Sailor, going against the grain yet again, will be obey the Constitution instead of bringing home the pork via abuse of our nation's most hallowed document. She won't even be a financial burden to the taxpayers.
Sailor vows to return her salary to the people, in the form of scholarships for disadvantaged children to go to private school.
Less can be so much more.
For all Sailor's efforts, Jackson will not even respond to her 17 requests to have a debate. It's the sad truth that if you have no money, you are no threat.
Jackson represents everything Sailor is not: well-connected with a famous father, a large bank account and an opportunity to give his children everything they need to succeed -- going directly against what he claims to represent.
"For Jesse to acknowledge my e-mail, it would mean Jesse would open the doors for dialogue," Sailor said. Jesse practices the art of avoidance because it ensures him job security."
Jackson will avoid Sailor all the way to a resounding victory on Election Day, but fear not. You will see Stephanie Sailor back online in 2006 shaking up the political machine.
She has nothing to lose.
Troy Appel is a Medill junior. He can be reached at
