North Cook News

John Elleson wants his Republican primary campaign in the 9th Congressional District to be viewed as a selfless endeavor.

“It’s not about me; it’s all about the people, rich or poor, black, brown or white, legal or illegal,” Elleson told the North Cook News following his win Tuesday over three other Republican candidates. Elleson will be taking on U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) in the fall general election.

Elleson, an Arlington Heights pastor, said he knows he will have to step it up in November, but he vowed he won’t allow that to change him from who he is.

“On voting day, we spent the time at local children’s hospitals in the district giving stuffed animals out, as we wanted to do something different,” he said. “We don’t want to be a regular politician; we want to be for the person who needs our help.”

Elleson said his campaign theme song is now Mandisa’s “We all Bleed the Same,” and he plans to embrace everyone as part of his campaign.

“I’m very thankful to the people of the 9th District for trusting me with their vote,” he said.

Elleson approximately 40 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s primary, with retired Sargis Sangari finishing as his closest challenger garnering approximately 30 percent.

Elleson said he is proud to have run a grass-roots campaign and doesn’t plan to change anything for the fall.

“We deliberately never took a dime from anyone for the campaign,” he said. “We did it all by spending little money and getting out to the people. We want to keep that going, but will need other help and for people to come along side and help. It’s a big challenge and I can’t do it alone.”

Elleson said he wants his constituents to know their needs are his priorities.

“I want you to have confidence in your representation in D.C.,” he said. “It’s not about me, it’s about you. I want to represent you.”

During the campaign, Elleson faced questions over previous legal issues, which the Chicago Tribune reported included his plea of "no contest" in 2003 to a first-degree theft charge stemming from his work at a social service agency in Hawaii.

Describing the period as a “rough patch in his life,” Elleson said he has never tried to shy away from it.

"In our church, we share our past hardships with each other," he told the newspaper. "It was almost 20 years ago, but yes, I probably could have dealt with the situation a little better."