Chicago DSA 

Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  

*** 
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 

 Anthony V. Clark

Candidate Website  

  www.anthonyclark2018.com

Campaign Contact Information and Designated Point of Contact 

  Anthony-clark@anthonyclark2018.com, 773-584-7276, & Jose Requena @ 773-655-9866

Election Date(s) 

 Primary is March 20, 2018 & General is November 6, 2018

Endorsements to date 
Justice Democrats, Brand New Congress, Americans for Deomcratic Action, DSA West Side Branch, Digital Left, Progressive
  Army, Daily Bern, 25th Ward IPO

Fundraising to date 

 $ 40,659.00 from 8,570 contributions.

Why are you seeking the endorsement of Chicago DSA? 

  Through actions and not theory, I have dedicated my life to fighting for human rights and needs. I engage in this fight because
I recognize the current issues we face are based upon systemic isms and phobias that are utilized to oppress and harbor
  power.
These issues are interconnected and Trump is a symptom of them. Unless we start treating the root cause of capitalism and
  recognize that various isms and phobias help to place profit, parties, and power before the people, we will continue to be
plagued by various symptoms.
  I believe that both the economy and society should be run democratically, placing power in the hands of the people and
meeting the needs of the people. DSA believes in making that systemic change to empower those marginalized.
Are you seeking an endorsement from DSA Nationally?  

 
My primary focus is local chapter and branch endorsements, as the city of Chicago and surrounding areas within the district
are my primary concer. If working with Chicago DSA and other chspters, a national endorsement makes sense in regards to
 
enhancing the mission, I will do so.
 

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Chicago DSA 
Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
 

Biography 
Born in Chicago and raised in Oak Park, IL, I am the proud son of Blanche and Ronald Clark. Growing up, both my oarents and
 
grandparents instilled in me the importance of giving back to my community. My grandpa Choom was a huge Muhammad Ali fan
and would tell me, “Service to others is the rent you pay for room here on this Earth.” As a teenager, I became focused on
 
‘paying rent,ʼ on giving back ro my community. Following my high school graduation, I believed that joining the military was the
best way that I could pay rent. However, experiencing the military industrial complex, led me to realize that I needed to do more.
  being honorably discharged from the military due to a disability, I became a special education teacher, teaching
After
throughout the 7th congressional district and realized that I still needed to do more. I founded a nonprofit, started a business,
 
and am running for office because it is my way to treat interconnected root causes and pay ‘rent to own.ʼ

 
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 

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Chicago DSA 
Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
 

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: 

 
November of 2017.

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 

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Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
 

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 

☐ ​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 

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Chicago DSA 
Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
 

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 

☐ ​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 

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Chicago DSA 
Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
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 

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Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
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 

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Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
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 

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Chicago DSA 
Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
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 

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Chicago DSA 
Candidate Questionnaire (Interim)  
 
Is there anything else not covered here that you would like to share with 
CDSA as we consider endorsement of your campaign?  
  We cannot allow politicians to co-opt movements or define themselves as progressive etc. Being an ally must be viewed as a
  verb not a noun, and I believe my actions have shown that I am the best individual to help move this district toward systemic
  change.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Would you care to elaborate on your answer to any of the previous questions? 

N/A

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