Below is a list of people who wil be running for local offices. Please contact us if you know of anyone else we can add to this list.
Kimberly Earling
Running for State Senate District 40
Hello, my name is Kimberly Earling and I am running for State Senate District 40. My wish in life was never to become a politician, but life-changing events have led me on a journey for change. Rather than sit back and watch while our government continues to fail our communities, I decided to stand up and do something about the failing systems.
As my husband and I walked door to door in Manteno and surrounding communities collecting signatures to retain my name on the ballot, I could not ignore the OVERWHELMING dislike for the CCP backed corporation, Gotion. The people have spoken, and our elected officials should listen! This is a huge reason why I came out against Gotion. This is about our communities at risk from foreign attacks.
In 2018 I lost my daughter and grandson to Fentanyl poisoning. Through my journey and the push for justice, I encountered many flaws within our judicial and medical systems, and the need for help and representation for the people in our communities. With China being the #1 producer of Fentanyl, this country is already under chemical attack. Our nation’s leaders are allowing the illicit, deadly drug to cross our open borders in mass amounts. Our leaders need to stop allowing these chemicals to cross our borders every day!
To add insult to injury, the LARGEST taxpayer incentive in Illinois history was given to a CCP affiliated company. Can you imagine the toxins it will bring to the surrounding neighborhoods? This, along with the deceitful advertisement of promised wages and jobs are reasons I do not support this deal. We should not be selling our US land to foreign countries for jobs when our elected officials watch large corporations, business, and jobs LEAVE year after year.
The list of reasons that contributed to my decision to run keep piling up. I do believe with your help and support we can start making these changes together! I believe in the power of the people to shape their own destiny, the importance of education, healthcare, and economic opportunity for all American. I also believe in the fundamental right of every American to pursue their dreams, free from the shackles of discrimination and inequality.
Solidarity Together,
Kimberly Earling
Kimberly Earling
180 N Mitchell St.
Braidwood, IL 60408
Mobile: 480.285.4495
Email: kimberlyearling@gmail.com
Website: earlingforsenate.com
Colton Ekhoff
Running for Kankakee County Auditor
Fellow Residents, In the spirit of transparency and open communication, I wish to address and illuminate the facts surrounding my voting decision as a member of the Kankakee County Board in regards to Project Unity. It’s important to me that you understand the depth of consideration that informs each choice I make on behalf of our community. I want to be unequivocally clear: when I cast that vote, I did so with the belief that I was acting in the best interest of our community. I based my decision on the information that was available to me at the time—information I had every reason to trust.
Unfortunately, as we soon found out, the information presented to the county board titled “Project Unity” by Manteno Mayor Nugent was not only incomplete, but was also obscured by those with interests not aligned with the wishes of the residents or the welfare of our community. Learning that I did not have access to all the relevant facts has been profoundly disheartening. I understand the frustration and disappointment you feel, knowing that a decision made on your behalf was founded on misled assurances. The trust you place in me and in all your elected officials is sacred.
Decisions in governance are seldom black-and-white. Let me assure you that the best interests of our community as a whole always guide my decisions. I am dedicated to making choices that are not only transparent and ethical, but also genuinely beneficial to the people I am privileged to serve. I am fully aware of the seriousness of the threat that lithium battery waste’s potential effects on the environment and hazardous resources pose. From the moment I became aware of the full implications of this project and the potential harm it could bring to our community, recognizing the urgency and the stakes involved, I have been actively involved in supporting several leading members of the “No Gotion Illinois” movement and even attended a rally this past fall.
I want to share with you the proactive steps I have taken to support efforts in opposition to the proposed operations by Gotion: I have ensured that those leading the charge against this project have had access to critical data and resources that could shed light on additional environmental and social risks associated with the Gotion’s plans for our community. Understanding the importance of connecting with influential figures and organizations, I have utilized my network to link our community leaders with environmental advocates, legal advisors, and policymakers who can offer better strategic advice and support at their level than I can provide. Through my position on the county board, I have worked to bring broader attention to this cause, participating in forums, speaking at public events, hosting Q&A town halls, and at times engaging with media outlets to ensure that communication channels are open and accessible to assist in empowering your voice.
As we stand at this juncture, it’s clear that the path ahead is challenging and leaves us with limited avenues for direct action; however, let me assure you, my commitment to this shared cause has not wavered. Know that I am continuing to explore every possible avenue to support the community’s fight against this project. Transparency is the cornerstone of trust, and your concerns, your questions, and your insights are invaluable to me. I remain committed to serving our community with integrity, dedication, and a clear focus on ethical governance in making decisions in the best interest of our community.
I thank you for your continued trust, engagement, and steadfast commitment to your community. Let us move forward, not as individuals, but as a united community, ready to face the challenges ahead with confidence and resolve. Together, we can build a future that is prosperous, secure, and reflective of the values we hold dear.
Respectfully,
Colton Ekhoff
Kankakee County Board Member – District 2
Candidate for Kankakee County Auditor
Jacob M. ‘Jake’ Lee, CFE
Running for re-election as Kankakee County Auditor
My name is Jake Lee, I proudly served our Country in the United States Navy for just under 6 years. I earned the rate of Religious Program Specialist Second Class with an Enlisted Warfare Specialist designation. I earned several medals including the NATO Medal, Joint-Service Achievement Medal (2); Navy Achievement Medal; and a Flag Letter of Commendation. Now, I’m honored to serve Kankakee County as the County Auditor as well as serving/volunteering on the board of directors for several community organizations. I’m writing this letter in support of the Concerned Citizens of Manteno.
First, let me state, as a veteran of this nation, I’m philosophically opposed to any threat that would harm her, foreign or domestic. I am reminded of what we now know as the “Monroe Doctrine”, when President James Monroe, in a routine message to Congress warned the European nations at the time that the United States would not tolerate further colonization or puppet monarchs. This simple, yet direct approach, set the stage for what would be US foreign policy for years to come. Now, we find ourselves confronted by internal threats and external threats all over the globe: Russian aggression in Ukraine and beyond; North Korean instability; Iranian state-sponsored support of terrorism and other inhumane activities and Chinese imperialism – which brings me to Gotion.
Gotion is a complex organization, but according to Federal Filings, which are easily researched and obtained, I have great reservations of a company whose official documents such as Articles of Incorporation show that the Chinese (government by proxy) owns that company. Now, I have nothing against anyone of Asian decent or any decent for that matter if they are a good person. However, I believe China has the systematic and methodical intent to dominate the world militarily, economically, and academically. Ambition and goals are not bad in and of themselves but when taken together as a dangerous avarice for supremacy, that’s a problem.
That stated, I do not agree with the way our local officials have brought this particular company to our community but have rejected others. I’m all for economic development, jobs, and other benefits, but even those benefits cannot come at an astronomical expense to the taxpayer, the environment, and our Country. There are County Board members who voted on this measure who have publicly stated they didn’t know or didn’t understand everything that was involved. There is a 30-year property tax cap baked into the plan which such structures have been proven to cause harm in the long-term due to microeconomic shifts in the environment, among other issues. I do not know if there were backroom deals, kickbacks, or other frauds, but when such a colossal project is kept from public scrutiny until the deal is done, it does make one wonder: What is really going on? I humbly submit my support of the Concerned Citizens of Manteno and I hope you will too.
Jake Lee
Website: reelectjakelee4auditor.com
Marcus Lewis
Republican Candidate for Congress 1st Congressional District of Illinois
I would like to add my voice to the opposition to the Chinese Communist Party owned Gotion EV Battery Plant slated to be built in the small town of Manteno, Illinois.
This deal was done in complete secrecy from the residents. This is where the trouble began. Gov. Pritzker has signed this secret deal giving this Communist Chinese Party Company $8 Billion Dollars of taxpayer monies to build a $2 Billion Dollar manufacturing battery plant all without the input of the affected Manteno Residents input, regarding the sediments included.
There is no environmental studies of the long term to safety to health, ground water, and influx of increased population growth because of this facility and the negative impact upon the pristine farm land community of Manteno that is NOT being taken into account. Anything done in the dark will soon come to the light.
Put simply, this rushed deal is UN-AMERICAN!
I, therefore stand shoulder to shoulder with the Residents of Manteno and I am in total opposition to this plant’s construction in this town. Gov. Pritzker has stooped to name calling maligning the MAGA Brand which only means “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN”. Gov. Pritzker has sided with the Chinese Communist Party over American Citizens of Manteno, Illinois.
This is why we must stand and defend our land against all enemies foreign & domestic whether it be in our Executive Branch, in our Legislature, or our Judicial Branch, “We The People” is our rallying cry before Almighty God in the Name of Jesus Christ Our Lord and Savior that He will be with us to the end.
NEVER SURRENDER. NEVER GIVE IN NOR GIVE UP. I BELIEVE GOD. HE WILL MAKE A WAY OUT OF NO WAY. PRAY, CASTING ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM BECAUSE HE CARES FOR US. HE KNOWS WHAT IS OCCURRING HERE. HE WILL ANSWER. HAVE FAITH IN HIM.
Now unto him who is able to keep you from falling and present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Savior, be Glory, Majesty, Dominion and Power both now and ever.
And all the people said, “Amen”.
Marcus Lewis
Republican Candidate for Congress
1st Congressional District of Illinois
Email: Marlew7@aol.com
Website: marcuslewisforcongress.org
Ryan McHeffey
Running for county board for Manteno District 6
My name is Ryan Mcheffey and I live in Manteno County Board District 6. I have served this nation now for approximately 19 years. I am married and have five children as well as care of my niece and nephew. I have served over seas in combat and have held many different leadership roles. I have seen over the years what nepotism does to our country and towns. We have 2 types of leadership in this world. We have a true leader who leads from the front and then we have parasitic leadership which try’s to lead from the rear but only sucks the life out of workers and or citizens and points fingers.
With that being said, Mr. Ryan Marion, as Village of Manteno Code Enforcer, has a duty to ensure all companies follow the Village Code. A lawsuit alleges that Marion failed in this duty by not speaking against the rezoning of the Gotion Property from I-1 to I-2 and by refusing to answer our question as to whether Gotion would be using highly toxic chemicals in our community. Through this, we feel he has played a crucial role in bringing the CCP-linked Gotion to Manteno. Marion is not looking out for the best interests of the citizens of Manteno County Board District 6.
I can and will represent the voters of district 6. It’s time we listened to the People of Manteno, not the government. For these reasons, I would like to be appointed to the county board for Manteno District 6. I will be submitting my application today, after this meeting.
Ashley Ramos
Congressional Candidate for US District 2 of Illinois
A letter of support to my fellow concerned citizens,
I write this to show my support to the Manteno residents and surrounding areas in saying no to the continued plan of establishing a battery plant in Manteno, Illinois. One that would be owned by the Chinese Communist Party, officially known as the Communist Party of China through the shell company Gotion. Do not allow the advocates of the project to confuse you, the Chinese Communist Party have no interest in seeing our community prosper. The CCP’s only interest in this endeavor is to enrich the Chinese Communist Elites.
We need to send a clear message that American land and industry is no longer an easy target to foreign entities. That we will not be idle and allow our land and water to be polluted for the gain of China. We must incentivize American industry owned by lawful citizens. In ways that will not cause further harm to our current citizens and future generations, unlike this battery plant which is fraught with short and long term concerns.
I will continue to be an advocate for safe, responsible, AMERICAN OWNED industry. I pray that the continued efforts to keep this battery plant from ever being a reality in our area is successful. To all in the fight, don’t give up!
Be safe and God Bless
Sincerely,
Ashley Ramos
Congressional Candidate for US Congress District 2 of Illinois
Email: ashleyforuscongress@gmail.com
Website: electashleyramos.com
