For her first campaign for public office, an attorney from East Moline is aiming high. Wednesday Republican Esther Joy King announced she's running for Congress, from Illinois' 17th District.
That's the seat now held by Democrat Cheri Bustos.
King plans to focus on agri-business, economic development, immigration, health care, and the trade imbalance.
"But with everything that's happening at the national level - the chaos, the drama that's taking place - I look at that and think what can I do to make a difference. And I believe the way I was raised, everything I've done in my career, the way I orient is how can I solve the problem, how can I be a part of the solution."
In her legal practice, King focuses on real estate and economic development. She's also a captain in the Army Reserve, and serves in the Judge Advocate General Corps. The daughter of Christian Missionary parents, she's also served as an aid worker in Afghanistan.
After announcing her candidacy, King spent the day meeting with fellow Republicans around the 17th District.
Copyright 2019 WVIK, Quad Cities NPR
