Second Democratic Party Congressional Forum. IL. Dist. 7.
The Forum starts at the 7:50 mark.
Voters in Illinois’ 7th Congressional District hear directly from Democratic primary candidates in this in-depth candidate’s forum, moderated by Mohammed Faheem, host of The Lightning Strike on WCPT 820 AM. This forum brings together candidates and community voices to discuss the issues shaping the district, the Democratic Party, and the path forward in a critical primary election.
Participating Candidates
• Felix Tello
• Reed Showalter
• Richard Boykin
• Anabel Mendoza
• La Shawn Ford Forum
Note: Kina Collins could not attend as she was not feeling well.
Panelists
• Marie Newman
• Reed Bible
• Ray Hanania
• Dr. Sheila White
• Mike Patino
• Dali Silverberg
Topics Covered
• Economic justice and cost-of-living concerns • Democracy, voting rights, and accountability • Immigration, public safety, and community trust • Foreign policy and human rights • The role of Congress in a divided political moment.
Moderated with a focus on substance, fairness, and voter education, this forum gives candidates the opportunity to present their priorities and respond to pressing questions from experienced panelists and community leaders. The Lightning Strike airs Sundays 8-10 AM on WCPT 820 AM.
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3rd Congressional Primary Forum - IL. 8th District
Forum starts at
Candidates participating:
Yasmeen Bankole
Junaid Ahmed
Panelists:
Marie Newman
Dr. Sheila White
Reed Bible
Ray Hanania
Mike Patino
4th Congressional Primary Forum - IL. 9th District
On January 25, The Lightning Strike hosted a live Congressional Forum featuring three candidates running in the Illinois 9th District Democratic Primary:
Candidates:
Bushra Amiwala,
Kat Abughazaleh,
Justin Ford.
All declared candidates were invited to participate.
Moderated by Mohammed Faheem, Host of The Lightning Strike, the forum brought together candidates and panelists for a substantive, no-spin conversation about the issues shaping the future of the district and the country.
Panelists:
• Marie Newman — Former Congresswoman
• Reed Bible — Former Will County Board Member & Immigration Attorney
• Ray Hanania — Journalist & Political Commentator
Topics discussed included:
• The economy, cost of living, and working-family priorities
• Healthcare as a human right and access to affordable care
• Immigration, asylum, and due process
• U.S. foreign policy, military aid, and human rights accountability
• Climate change and long-term economic resilience
• Campaign finance, corporate PAC influence, and restoring trust in Washington
• The state of American democracy and voter accountability.
Each candidate shared their vision, policy priorities, and approach to representing the 9th District, while panelists pressed for clarity, accountability, and real-world solutions. This is The Lightning Strike at its best, creating space for informed debate, meaningful dialogue, and voter engagement beyond the headlines.