Erika Harold, a former Miss America and unsuccessful congressional candidate, is expected to announce a Republican bid for attorney general in Illinois.
She will be challenging four-term Democrat Lisa Madigan, according to the Chicago Tribune. In a video announcing her candidacy, Harold, 37, said that it is nearly impossible to “find opportunity and live out your dreams” in Illinois. She thinks that career politicians have made it a “nightmare” for many people and families in the state.
“You deserve a state government that works for the people, not the powerful,” said Harold, of Urbana, in the candidacy video. “Changing the status quo is never easy. And I need your help to do it. Together, let’s defeat the special interests and send the politicians packing.”
Harold received her law degree from Harvard Law School in 2007 and is currently an attorney at the Meyer Capel law firm in Champaign. She won the Miss America pageant in 2003 and used her platform to start a program to combat bullying in schools.
Harold is a conservative. She was a delegate at the Republican National Convention in 2004 and spoke on stage on behalf of the faith-based initiatives of a re-election seeking President George W. Bush, according to Chicago Tribune.
She ran for Congress in 2014 and lost a primary challenge to Republican U.S. Rep. Rodney David of Taylorville by about 7,000 votes. Her platform opposed abortion rights, same-sex marriage, legalized marijuana and supported gun-owner rights and the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
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