CHICAGO DSA

Candidate Questionnaire

All answers to this questionnaire will be circulated through publicly accessible channels for
review and comment by members of Chicago DSA, other DSA Chapters, and allied
organizations.

Candidate Name
Sameena Mustafa

Candidate Website
https://www.sameenaforcongress.com/

Campaign Contact Information and Designated Point of Contact

Phone: 872-210-4930
Mailing Address: 4422 N. Ravenswood Ave., Chicago, IL 60640
Email: ​info@sameenaforcongress.com

Point of Contact: Monique Rooker, Communications Director

Email: ​press@sameenaforcongress.com
Phone: 773-213-4016

Election Date(s)
Primary: March 20, 2018
General: November 6, 2018

Endorsements to date
Justice Democrats
Northside Democracy for America
IVI-IPO

Fundraising to date
$93,100

Why are you seeking the endorsement of Chicago DSA?

I have committed my entire life to social and economic justice. My priority is to help the
most vulnerable members of our society: the undocumented, the poor, communities of
color, the current and formerly incarcerated, and the LGBTQ community. These are the
people who have been disproportionately impacted by corporatist governance and
decades of regressive economic policy. I will not only fight against discrimination in all
forms but will continue my work to advance and empower our most economically
disenfranchised communities.

I am asking for your endorsement because we share the same concerns and the same
values. DSA has been on the forefront of social and economic justice for decades and
has demonstrated the ability to shape political dialogue and inform and activate voters.
We win progressive movement victories when we work together.

When presented with progressive options, both on the phone and on doorsteps, voters
in my district have shown that they share our priorities, including a living wage,
Medicare for All, progressive taxation, and protecting unions, and are ready for
leadership that is not a product of the political establishment. A victory in the 5th District
would not simply mean replacing a self-proclaimed centrist with a strong progressive,
but would send a message to the Democratic Party that we are its future.

That is why I ask for your endorsement. I believe this campaign is a valuable
opportunity for our movement, and win or lose, I will to work together with DSA in the
future to make our country more just and equitable for all Americans.

Are you seeking an endorsement from DSA Nationally? No

Biography

I was born in Evanston, Illinois to Indian Muslim immigrant parents and grew up in
Chicago. My father worked as a structural engineer at O’Hare, and my mother as a
pediatrician at the Uptown Board of Health Clinic. I attended Chicago Public Schools,
Regina Dominican H.S., and graduated from Northwestern University. I have lived in the
5th District for over 30 years.

As a former Planned Parenthood manager, I am the only candidate in the race with
direct healthcare experience in a federally-funded clinic. For over a decade, I have
worked as a tenant advocate negotiating against landlords and financial institutions on
behalf of woman- and minority-owned businesses and community nonprofits serving
immigrants, refugees, LGBTQ, and sexual assault survivors.

I have over 25 years of civic involvement and have worked with people from all
backgrounds and income levels. I have gone to Capitol Hill to advocate for legislation
and have fought to empower and advance marginalized communities throughout my
career.
I am an unapologetic progressive who supports Medicare for All, a woman’s right to
choose, a living wage, equal pay, civil rights, financial regulation, campaign finance
reform (I am taking no money from corporate PACs), environmental protections, and the
right of every American to live and work without fear of discrimination, predation or
deportation.

If elected, I would be the first woman in history to represent Illinois’ 5th District and the
first Muslim woman to have a seat in Congress. I would be a proud member of the
Congressional Progressive Caucus.

If endorsed by the Chicago chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, would you
accept our endorsement?
☐ Yes
☐ No

Would you publish our endorsement on your website and literature?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Would you allow DSA members to display DSA materials (pins, signs, shirts, etc), while
volunteering for your campaign?
☐ Yes
☐ No

Would you mention our endorsement in public appearances and interviews?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Can Chicago DSA promote an endorsement of you through our own printed
and social media?
☐ Yes
☐ No

Are you running to win?

☐ Yes
☐ No

Are you a socialist?

☐ Yes
☐ No
Are you a member of DSA?
☐ Yes
☐ No
If “Yes” indicate when you joined:

QUESTIONS
1. Do you support the repeal of Taft-Hartley?
☐ Yes
☐ No

2. Do you support a shorter work week without loss of income?

☐ Yes
☐ No

3. Do you support a $15 minimum wage, in all industries, including tipped workers?
☐ Yes
☐ No

4. Do you support state and municipal banks?

☐ Yes
☐ No

5. Do you support a state financial transaction tax?

☐ Yes
☐ No

6. Do you support breaking up and/or nationalizing financial institutions?

☐ Yes
☐ No

7. Do you support a job guarantee, a universal basic income, or otherwise a guarantee of an

adequate income for all people?
☐ Yes
☐ No

8. If workers use direct actions to take control of their workplaces and their bosses’
property, will you use your office to protect them?
☐ Yes (IF THEY ARE NONVIOLENT DIRECT ACTIONS)
☐ No

9. Do you consider healthcare a human right?

☐ Yes
☐ No
10. Do you support national Medicare for All?
☐ Yes
☐ No

11. Would your version of universal healthcare cover reproductive healthcare, including
abortion on demand, all contraceptives, fertility support, prenatal and obstetric services,
and postnatal support for new parents?
☐ Yes
☐ No

12. Do you support mandatory patient to staff ratio legislation for

nurses in Illinois hospitals?
☐ Yes
☐ No

13. Do you support extending coverage under the ACA and under future Single Payer
programs to undocumented immigrants?
☐ Yes
☐ No

14. Do you support the repeal of the Hyde Amendment?

☐ Yes
☐ No

15. Do you support jobs retraining and severance for those affected by the transition from
private-run to government-run healthcare?
☐ Yes
☐ No

16. Would you support single-payer at the state level?

☐ Yes (If it wasn’t possible at the Federal level)
☐ No

17. Do you support the abolition of prisons?

☐ Yes
☐ No

18. Do you support the decriminalization of sex work?

☐ Yes
☐ No

19. Do you support the decriminalization of marijuana?

☐ Yes
☐ No

20. Do you support the decriminalization other drugs as well?

☐ Yes
☐ No

21. Will you support the release of offenders currently incarcerated for drug offenses and
sex work and restitution for individuals and communities affected by these laws?
☐ Yes
☐ No

22. Do you support rent control?

☐ Yes
☐ No

23. Do you support universal housing as a right for all human beings?
☐ Yes
☐ No

24. Do you support “just cause” eviction statutes?

☐ Yes
☐ No

25. Do you oppose charter schools and other forms of school privatization?
☐ Yes
☐ No

26. Do you support free tuition at public colleges and universities, including technical and
vocational post-secondary education?
☐ Yes
☐ No

27. Do you support the right of children to receive sex education?

☐ Yes
☐ No

28. Would you support legislation to cancel or forgive existing student debt?
☐ Yes
☐ No

29. Do you support free public broadband?

☐ Yes
☐ No

30. Do you support net neutrality as a requirement for all ISPs?

☐ Yes
☐ No

31. Do you support public financing of elections?

☐ Yes
☐ No

32. Do you support a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens’ United? Buckley v.

Valeo?
☐ Yes
☐ No

33. Do you support reforms to increase registration and voting, including Election Day
registration, automatic voter registration, making Election Day a holiday, and increasing
opportunities for early voting?
☐ Yes
☐ No

34. Do you support an immediate end to deportations?

☐ Yes
☐ No

35. Do you support an amnesty for all undocumented immigrants?

☐ Yes
☐ No

36. Do you support the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement against Israel?
☐ Yes
☐ No

37. Are you in favor of cutting military spending?

☐ Yes
☐ No

38. Do you support reparations?

☐ Yes
☐ No

39. Do you support the Black Lives Matter movement?

☐ Yes
☐ No

40. Do you support federally-funded abortion on demand, without apology, explanation, or

fee at the point of service?
☐ Yes
☐ No

41. Do you support paid parental leave and job protection for pregnant persons and new
parents?
☐ Yes
☐ No

42. Are you committed to the continued protection of same-sex marriages in all the States
and Territories of the United States of America?
☐ Yes
☐ No

43. Do you support full legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation
and/or gender identity in housing, jobs, education, public accommodations, health care,
and other areas of civil and political life, including local and federal non- discrimination
laws which will not allow religious beliefs to be used to justify bias?
☐ Yes
☐ No

44. Do you support a version of universal healthcare that supports the

health needs of the LGBTQIA+ community, including unrestricted
access to reproductive, gender transition, and mental/behavioral
healthcare, as well as complete coverage for sexual wellness and STI prevention and
treatment?
☐ Yes
☐ No

45. Do you pledge to move away from the United State’s historic relationship with Native
Americans of paternalism and control towards one of deference and support?
☐ Yes
☐ No

46. Do you oppose the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017 (H.R. 620)?
☐ Yes
☐ No

47. Do you support the Disability Integration Act (S.910, H.R.2472)?

☐ Yes
☐ No

48. Are you in favor of increased support for veterans, including more funding for the VA
and the Department of Veterans Affairs?
☐ Yes
☐ No

49. Do you believe Chicago should have an elected school board?

☐ Yes
☐ No

50. Do you support the creation of a Civilian Police Accountability Council (CPAC)?
☐ Yes
☐ No

Is there anything else not covered here that you would like to share with
CDSA as we consider endorsement of your campaign?

Would you care to elaborate on your answer to any of the previous questions?
Yes.

For question 8, I support any ​nonviolent ​direct actions workers use to take control of
their workplaces and their bosses’ property. I believe in the ability of nonviolent
movements to change laws.

For question 16, I firmly believe in Medicare for All and that implementation at the
federal level is imperative to providing every American with affordable healthcare. I
would support single payer at the state level if it does not pass at the federal level.
However, my concern is that implementation at the state level could place undue
burden on state governments, especially in the State of Illinois where budgets are
already unable to cover basic services. For Illinois to implement a single payer system,
we should first revise the tax structure so that our constitutionally mandated flat tax is
replaced with a progressive income tax system that forces corporations and the wealthy
to pay their fair share and contribute to the state’s economy.

For question 36, U.S. policy and aid should be used in service of the goal of a two-state
solution where both the Palestinian and Israeli people can live in peace, security, and
dignity. I do not believe that BDS is the most effective way to achieve this outcome. I
firmly believe in the human rights of the Palestinian people and that Israel must stop
building settlements and displacing Palestinians. Israel's defense forces must also stop
the criminalization of Palestinian minors and free those minors in custody in accordance
with human rights.