State senator backs Obama

By Mike Frerichs

On Tuesday, February 5, voters will head to the polls to cast their votes in the Illinois Democratic Primary. For the first time in recent memory, Democratic voters in Illinois will have the opportunity play a meaningful role in the presidential nominating process.

I was pleased to read the recent Daily Illini editorial asking readers to support Barack Obama in Tuesday’s election. I have worked with Senator Obama for more than eight years and I am proud to be on the ballot as an Obama delegate to the Democratic convention. In Illinois we have had the opportunity to witness firsthand what makes Senator Obama so uniquely qualified to be President of the United States: his ability to bring people together to address complex problems.

In the Illinois State Senate, Obama took the lead on a wide range of legislative initiatives; passing bills to expand health care coverage, strengthen state ethics laws, and reform a broken death penalty system. Obama’s results-oriented approach is exactly what we will need in our next president.

Senator Obama also recognizes that in order to address the many immense challenges facing our country we must convince a new generation of young Americans to take an active role in the political process. While it is still fairly early in the election season, Obama has already achieved what many have long considered impossible: convincing young voters to flock to the polls in record numbers.

Help send Illinois’ favorite son to the White House by delivering a resounding victory in his home state. Join me in voting for Barack Obama in Tuesday’s Democratic Primary.

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